Airspace & Navigation – Charts & Operations

Extracted from: https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft/standard-page/part-101-amendments-cutting-red-tape-remotely-piloted-aircraft

• You must only fly during the day and keep your RPA within visual line-of sight.
• You must not fly your RPA higher than 120 metres (400ft) AGL.
• You must keep your RPA at least 30 metres away from other people.
• You must keep your RPA at least 5.5km away from controlled aerodromes.
• You must not fly your RPA over any populous areas. These can include: beaches, parks and sporting ovals.
• You must not fly your RPA over or near an area affecting public safety or where emergency operations are underway (without prior approval).
• This could include situations such as a car crash, police operations, a fire and associated firefighting efforts and search and rescue.
• You can only fly one RPA at a time.

• Using OzRunways and/or paper maps review PCA, WAC, VNC & VTC
• Review characteristics of different visual chart types

PCA is designed to assist in initial VFR flight planning.

The PCA is a single sheet showing the coverage of:

• The World Aeronautical Charts
• The meteorological area forecast [ARFOR] boundaries
• The estimated FIS VHF coverage from both 5000 feet amsl and 10 000 feet (but not the frequencies)
• The areas without FIS VHF coverage.
• The FIS HF communication frequencies are shown.
• The spot location of about 700 named airfields is indicated

PCA is designed to assist in initial VFR flight planning and it is amended semi-annually. It is of rather limited use in initial planning of flights below 5000 feet (i.e. most ultralight flights) in eastern Australia because straight-line tracks between departure point and destination may be precluded because of the topography, and there are no indications of such on the PCA.

The 43 Australian WAC charts are small scale (1:1,000,000 or 1mm=1km), derived from aerial photography, and designed for pre-flight planning and flight.

They are part of an ICAO international series. They do not indicate Control Zone (CTR) or  Prohibited, Restricted and Danger areas (PRD), nor is there any Flight Information Area (FIA), radio communications or radionavigation information.

Each WAC chart generally covers 6° of longitude and 4° of latitude. Sheet dimensions are about 70 × 60 cm and the scale is such that a real distance of one nautical mile is represented by less than 2 mm on the chart; thus WACs are really not suited to low-altitude navigation in slow aircraft.

VNCs are a larger scale at 1:500,000 and show airspace information and FIS detail laid over the topographic base.

VNC charts contain the following airspace detail:

• CTR, CTA dimensions and lower levels
• Flight Information Area and Surveillance Information Service boundaries where available
• Flight Information Service and Surveillance Information Service frequencies and providers
• communication and navigation aid frequencies for licensed airfields
• PRD and designated & remote areas.

There are only 15 VNCs, those available covering the more populous areas of Australia — Tasmania to North Queensland, plus areas around Perth, Adelaide, Darwin and Tindal.

Approximately 25 VTC charts provide both aeronautical and topographic information around major airports at a scale of 1:250,000.

They are essential for VFR operations in the vicinity of such airports to avoid violating controlled airspace.

They show the following details:

• PRD areas
• CTR and associated CTA dimensions including the lower levels of the CTA steps surrounding the airport, lanes of entry, ATC check points
• Surveillance Information Service frequencies where available
• communication and navigation aid frequencies for licensed airfields
• VFR approach points.

The charts are based on the NATMAP 250K series maps and use the Universal Transverse Mercator [UTM] projection but with a latitude/longitude graticule rather than the normal UTM grid; their dimensions are around 90 × 50 cm.

The ERCLO series is drawn to various scales to accommodate significant air traffic route areas and and shows:

• Controlled airspace
• PRD areas
• Air routes and segment distances
• ATS and radio-navigation services
• ATS frequencies and location
• Plus communication and NAVAID frequencies for licensed airfields

It does not show topography

It also indicates those airfields where VHF radio contact with FIS is possible from the ground.

The FIS area boundaries are shown together with an information box showing the provider of the flight information service (e.g. Brisbane Centre), the frequency and the location of the area transceiver.

 The series of eight sheets cover Australia and are intended primarily for IFR flights conducted below 20,000 feet.

Aircraft operating under the VFR must navigate by visual reference to the ground.

To assist this visualisation, WACs and VNCs display tinted topographic contours signifying surface areas between levels:

• 660 feet (200 m) and 1639 feet
• 1640+ feet (500 m), 3280+ feet (1000 m)
• 4920+ feet (1500 m) and 6560+ feet (2000 m)

The shape of the contours and the width between them indicates the form of the land and the gradient. The closer the contour lines (i.e. the narrower the colour bands) are to each other, the steeper the gradient.

The WAC chart utilises relief shading of elevated ranges and ridges so that they are more evident.

Spot elevations are also shown and the highest spot elevation within each chart graticule is recorded in a bolder lettering than other spot elevations. The graticule on the WACs and VNCs is spaced at 30 minutes of latitude and 30 minutes of longitude.

The contours on VTCs are at 500+, 1000+, 2000+, 3000+, 4000+ and 5000+ feet amsl, but in addition all areas are shaded purple where there is less than 500 feet of clearance between the terrain and the lower limit of the overlying controlled airspace. Like WAC and VNC, the highest spot elevation within each chart graticule is shown in a bolder type than other spot elevations.

The VTCs generally cover an area within a 40–50 nm radius from the major airport and are the essential chart for visual navigation within that area. 

Vegetation is usually not shown on WACs, nor are many structures except for towers and similar obstructions to low-flying aircraft; although grain silos — which are an excellent navigation aid usually associated with a railroad — are shown. Railroads, power transmission lines and some roads are depicted.

[Refer to in-class demonstration]

Airspace of defined dimensions within which air traffic control services are provided.

Control Zones (CTR)

• Controlled airspace extending upwards from the surface of the earth to the specified upper limit §surround controlled airports (civil & military)
• Are active during the hours of control tower operation at the airport as published in ERSA or as varied by NOTAM
• Autside tower hours (when the CTR is deactive) the airspace is reclassified Class G i.e. outside controlled airspace

Control Area (CTA)

• Controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the earth (e.g. D LL 1000)
• Designated Class A, D, C or E
• Normally operate continuously
• NOTAM or AIP SUP can create, activate or amend CTA to meet temporary requirements

Keeping Outside of CTA

Hypsometric Tint highest elevation (AMSL)

400 ft max UAV operating height   (AGL)

Altitude of operations   (AMSL)

Is this < or > CTA LL in the area?

[Refer to in-class demonstration]

[Refer to in-class demonstration]

Manual of Standards Schedule 3 Aeronautical Knowledge

Please review: MoS Part 61, Schedule 3

A notice distributed by means of telecommunications containing information concerning the establishment, condition or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.

Area Briefing:

• Aerodrome NOTAM
• Prohibited, Restricted, Danger Area NOTAM (individual & group)
• Flight Information Region (FIR) NOTAM
• Head Office NOTAM

NOTAMs can be accessed at: www.airservicesaustralia.com/naips/Account/Logon

Please refer to: ERSA – Emergency Procedures

Please review: AVIE0003 – AR4 – Procedures