The FAA is increasingly using new, symbolic notations on approach procedure charts to reduce visual clutter, requiring pilots to learn their meanings or consult reference legends.
Key new symbols include the 'inverse D' indicating runway declared distances (e.g., TORA, TODA, ASDA, LDA) available in the Airport/Facility Directory, critical for aircraft performance planning.
Other significant symbols are the 'inverse W' denoting frequent WAAS vertical guidance outages (meaning LNAV minimums apply for planning) and the 'inverse C' indicating expanded circling areas that allow for wider turns but may result in higher circling minimums.
Over the last few years, approach procedure charts have more and more data crammed onto them by the FAA. More data means better decision making, right? Ideally, yes. However it also means more brain cycles spent processing the data in addition to shrinking available chart real estate.
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