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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drone-blue-airport-control-tower

On a sectional chart, what does a blue airport symbol mean?

The airport has a control tower. Airports without one are magenta.

  1. It is a seaplane base
  2. The airport has a control tower ✔
  3. It is a private airport

Why: Chart makers color airports with control towers, and their data, in blue. All other airports and their data are shown in magenta.

Huh, didn't know that: Fuel availability is shown by little tick marks around the airport symbol.

The dad joke
Why did the airport turn blue? It finally got a tower to talk to.
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Sources

  1. FAA Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide (VFR Terms and Symbols) https://aeronav.faa.gov/user_guide/cug-complete_20260709.pdf

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