Margin identification on an instrument approach chart refers to which features?

• A. The scale bar
• B. The wind data block
• C. The top and bottom margins showing airport location and procedure identification
• D. The vertical profile on the chart

Answer: (C)

Margin identification on an instrument approach chart is the quick cross-check that tells you exactly which airport and which procedure the plate represents. The margins display the airport location (often the city/airport name) and the procedure identification (the approach type and designation), so you can be sure you’ve got the correct plate before you start flying the approach. This identification helps prevent mixing up plates for different airports or different approaches at the same airport.

The scale bar is a graphic element showing chart scale, not the margins. The wind data block and other briefing items appear in separate data blocks, not in the margins. The vertical profile is a shaded depiction of altitude versus distance on the approach, also not part of the margins.