What is a Sectional Chart used for in aviation?

A Sectional Chart is specifically designed for navigation purposes in aviation. It provides essential information that pilots need while flying, such as details about terrain features, including elevations and obstructions, as well as airspace classifications and boundaries, identifying controlled and uncontrolled airspace areas. This allows pilots to maintain situational awareness and navigate effectively within the contours of the flight environment.

While understanding weather patterns is important for flying, this is not the primary purpose of Sectional Charts. Weather information is typically found on separate weather charts and reports. Calculating fuel requirements is a separate calculation based on flight planning and aircraft performance data, and it does not rely on the Sectional Chart itself. Scheduling maintenance flights involves operational logistics and maintenance records, which are not related to the navigational information provided on Sectional Charts. Hence, the focus on terrain and airspace details makes navigation the primary function of Sectional Charts.