MAP OF ZME AIRSPACE:
The black lines are called "Jet Routes" and have specific numbers. Pilots file flight plans along these routes, the so-called "highways of the sky". Having the routes also helps air traffic controllers manage the flow of aircraft in any one particular airspace. When thunderstorms or turbulence affect these routes, pilots will request deviations making the controller's job more difficult. CWSU Meteorologists are called on to forecast time periods when these routes will be usable or unusable depending on the weather situation. The circles on the map represent navigational aids, referred to as "navaids". There are high altitude and low altitude type navaids. The ones depicted on this map are the high altitude VORTACs, used by the aircraft as they fly from one "fix" to another. Radial compass direction from navaid to navaid is how Jet Routes determined.