FAA Addresses Safety Challenges in Alaska with Improved Aeronautical Charts

AK – The FAA has released new editions of Sectional Aeronautical Charts that will now depict mountain passes in Alaska’s Brooks Range in an effort to improve flight safety in Northern Alaska. The charts will include the Naqsralugiaq and Carter mountain passes. New depiction elements on the charts will highlight the location and elevation of low points along the passes to help aid flight planning.

The FAA worked alongside the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and other aviation groups in Alaska for a period of two years to analyze mountain pass information. According to the FAA, the changes to the charts will help pilots select the best routes available for crossing major mountain ranges and will extend these processes beyond Alaska to other mountainous areas of the country. The FAA anticipates technological advancements will help prompt the implementation of additional elements in the future to improve situational awareness through improved mapping capabilities.