Until 1958, when the Federal Aviation Administration was founded, the United States Coast & Geodetic Survey published aeronautical charts for flight navigation. These were published in various scales to show different information and were updated every six months. The most detailed are the local charts for airports, like this one showing the area around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In addition to geographical features, the map shows cities, towns, and major roads; gives compass headings; and indicates by blue shading which areas are under air traffic control.

Much information appears on the back of the map, including a key to topographical and other symbols, a list of nearby airports, diagrams of standard aircraft holding patterns, military training areas to stay away from, hints on mountain flying, search and rescue and emergency information, and a map of other local charts available.