Overlay Sectional Aeronautical Charts in Google Earth

Google Earth can be a valuable tool for pilots to get a feel for a route they intend to fly. Follow these instructions to download an overlay of sectional charts for the United States in Google Earth. All of the Terminal Area Charts for the United States are also included.

Steps

1. Launch and update Google Earth, if necessary.
   • Ensure you have the most up-to-date version. Select Check for Updates Online in the Help menu.
2. Download the sectional charts. Click on This Link.
3. Double-click the download file to open it. This will automatically load it into Google Earth.
4. When Google Earth begins, look under Temporary Places and click on "Aeronautical Charts" to see a list of the various chart options. Click on Sectionals to open up the mosaic of the Sectionals covering the lower 48 United States.
   • Note: After clicking on the Aeronautical Charts link in Google Earth, it might take some time for everything to load. If it doesn't work, or for more information visit the Google Earth Library.
   • You can also select other options, such as the Alaska Sectionals, Flyway maps, the Sectional legends, 3D Airspace, etc.

Tips

• You can also view all of the Terminal Area Charts, Flyway maps and 3D airspace polygons. Check under the Places Menu to enable these options.
• The 3D airspace polygons are a big file and might take a minute or so to load when you first enable them.
• You can overlay the Terminal Area Charts right on top of the Sectional Charts.
• You can also download Low Altitude and High Altitude Enroute Charts, and METARS.
• The maps will load increasingly higher resolution as you zoom in. Give it a few seconds to download the higher resolution tiles when you stop moving the view. There are 1,000s of tiles altogether that make up the maps. The faster your internet connection, the faster the tiles will load.

Warnings

• These sectionals are definitely not up-to-date and must not be relied upon for actual flight planning. This is an entertainment tool only!

Things You'll Need

• Google Earth (latest version)
• Broadband Internet connection

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Sources and Citations

• Sectional data download
• Google Earth download

See also

• Look for Mistakes in Google Earth
• Benefit from Google Earth
• Find Your House on Google Earth
• Install Google Earth
• Use the Google Earth Flight Simulator
• Use Google Earth

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