SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-chart-contour-lines

On a sectional chart, what do contour lines connect?

Points of equal elevation, showing the shape of the land.

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  1. Towns on the same highway
  2. Points at the same elevation ✔
  3. Airports with the same radio frequency

Why: A contour line links places that are the same height above sea level. Lines packed close together mean steep hills or mountains.

Huh, didn't know that: On sectionals the basic contour lines are spaced 500 feet apart.

The dad joke
Why did the hill join the map club? It had a lot of contours to share.
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References

Answer: Points at the same elevation. A contour line links places that are the same height above sea level. Lines packed close together mean steep hills or mountains.

  1. FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide (VFR Sectional Charts) aeronav.faa.gov/user_guide/cug-complete_20260709.pdf
    Contour lines join points of equal elevation. On Sectionals, basic contours are spaced at 500' intervals.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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