Charts updated. New obstacles on the sectional – documenting what changed and why it matters.
Downloaded the latest sectional chart updates and spent time reviewing what’s changed in our local area. Staying current on chart revisions is basic airmanship, but it’s easy to get complacent.
What Changed
New tower construction about 8 miles east of the airport. The sectional now shows a 1,847 MSL obstruction with required lighting. That’s significant – it’s right in the departure corridor for runway 27 and could be a factor during night operations or low visibility.
Also noticed an updated TFR notation for the wildlife refuge north of town. Seasonal restrictions now extend through May instead of March. If you’re not checking NOTAMs before every flight, this is exactly the kind of thing that could cause problems.
Training Area Impact
Our primary practice area remains clear of new obstructions, but the new tower does affect the transition route we use for cross-country departures to the east. Updated our standard briefing to include awareness of the obstruction.
ForeFlight Updates
Verified that the electronic charts in ForeFlight match the paper sectional. They do – the app pulls from the same FAA source data. But it never hurts to confirm, especially when you’re teaching students who might rely too heavily on the moving map.
Best Practices
Chart updates publish every 56 days. Make it a habit to review the changes each cycle, especially for your home airport and frequently-used training areas. What you don’t know can hurt you – literally.
