Like four-way low-frequency ranges, ADF approaches and, increasingly, VOR stations, another memorable tool of aviation navigation is set to become history. The FAA announced last week that it is discontinuing providing World Aeronautical Charts because technological advances in navigation capabilities and digital charting products “have made the WAC series obsolete.”
According to the agency, unit sales of WACs are down 73 percent since 2007, with sales down 10 percent between 2013 and 2014 alone. Sales can no longer support the cost of producing the charts.
WACs were once heavily used by military aviators, as well as civilian pilots, but distribution to the military has stopped because “electronic flight bag moving map technology and reliance on the larger-scale Sectional Aeronautical Chart series have made WACs obsolete.” General aviation has similarly embraced electronic flight bags and digital flight planning applications. Production of all WACs, excepting those covering the Caribbean, is scheduled to end early next year.