What is the purpose of the legend on a sectional chart?

• A. It lists upcoming weather conditions.
• B. It explains chart symbology.
• C. It provides pilot reports.
• D. It identifies flight plans.

Answer: (B)

The legend on a sectional chart is the key to reading the map: it decodes the symbols, shading, and abbreviations used throughout. It tells you what airports look like, where different airspace boundaries are, where obstructions are marked, and what navigation aids or features represent. With the legend, you can accurately interpret every symbol you see and understand the chart at a glance. Weather conditions, pilot reports, and flight plans aren’t defined by the legend; those belong to weather briefings, reports, and flight planning sources. So the purpose is to explain chart symbology.