Convert the MVA charts from faa.gov into KML files and content packs for Foreflight
This repository contains a copy of the Minimum Vectoring Altitude
(MVA) and Minimum IFR Altitude (MIA) charts from the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA).
The originals are provided by the FAA in PDF and XML format, but they
are unsuited for automatic import in EFBs like ForeFlight. This
repository includes automatically generated copies in KML format
(that can be imported in programs like Google Earth), as well as
content packs (that can be imported in ForeFlight).
As an example, this is how the MVAs are drawn over San Diego, CA, once
the Southern California TRACON MVA maps are imported:
The original XML files from the FAA are in the mva-faa-xml andmia-faa-xml directories respectively, as downloaded from the
official
website.
The converted KML files are in the mva-kml and mia-kml
directories; each chart is available independently, and is named
after the original XML file.
ForeFlight content packs are in the contentpack directory. There
is a single directory for all maps. Each content pack includes all
charts from the same ATC TRACON facility of a given type (MVA or
MIA), and its name includes the map type and the three-characters
identifier of each facility. You can lookup the TRACON identifiers
at this
link.
Each TRACON facility usually publishes two MVA maps, named FUS3 andFUS5. To the best of my knowledge, they are generated to give 3 and
5 miles, respectively, horizontal clearance from terrain and
obstacles. The FUS5 maps are usually larger and cover much more
airspace.
You can see how the Los Angeles, CA area (managed by the Southern
California TRACON, or SCT) is covered by the current SCT_MVA_FUS3
map:
As opposed to the current SCT_MVA_FUS5 map:
For instructions on how to download and import the Content Packs into
ForeFlight (recommended), please browse the contentpacks
directory of this repository and download/share them into the
app. Detailed instructions about how to import Content Packs into
ForeFlight are available at their support
page (search for
“Importing Content Packs”).
For instructions on how to download and import KML files into
ForeFlight, please see this page in the Support
Center. Note:
some users have reported issues with downloading KML files from Github
from their iPads. If you have issues with the download (e.g., the
files are downloaded as plain text), please download them on your
computer and import them with iTunes, or use a Content Pack instead
(recommended).
For instructions on how to download and import KML files into another
program (like Google Earth), please refer to the documentation
provided with that program.
This work was inspired by some episodes of the Opposing
Bases podcast, where the hosts
discussed various uses of the MVA charts by the Air Traffic
Controllers. Specifically, episode
161
included feedback from one of the listeners about how to convert the
XML originals into KML in a semi-automated way. This project was then
featured on episode
168.
All MVA and MIA chart files are property of the FAA. The attached
license notice applies to the conversion scripts only.
All files are provided for educational purposes only. They are not to
be used as a navigation tool. No claim is made regarding the accuracy
of these charts and their contents.
Please direct any comments and discrepancies in the displayed data to
the FAA Air Traffic facility in question.
More information at:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/mva_mia