FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A pilot examining a sectional chart sees a black line labeled 'V257' connecting two VOR stations. What does this line represent?
- AA military training route for high-speed operations
- BA low altitude federal (Victor) airway based on VOR radials
- CAn RNAV route defined by GPS waypoints
- DA jet route used above 18,000 feet MSL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. A low altitude federal (Victor) airway based on VOR radials
Victor airways, labeled with a 'V' followed by a number, are low altitude federal airways established using VOR radials, extending from 1,200 feet AGL up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL. They are depicted on sectional and low altitude en route charts as black lines connecting VOR stations.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Military training routes use 'IR' or 'VR' designators, not 'V'.
- C. RNAV routes are labeled 'T' (low) or 'Q' (high), not 'V'.
- D. Jet routes are labeled 'J' and used above 18,000 feet MSL, not 'V'.
Victor Airway
A Victor airway is a low altitude federal airway defined by VOR radials, identified by the letter 'V' followed by a number, extending from 1,200 ft AGL up to but not including 18,000 ft MSL.
- Labeled with 'V' plus a number (e.g., V257)
- Connects VOR stations along specific radials
- Used for low altitude en route navigation
Memory trick: Victor = 'Very low' airway; Jet routes fly high, RNAV rides GPS