Aim To develop the skills to use the aviation charts and publications we need to prepare our flight plan and to navigate in flight

Charts and PublicationsATC Chapter 3

Aim

To develop the skills to use the aviation charts and publications we need to prepare our flight plan and to navigate in flight.

Objectives1. Be able to identify the different types of chart projections

and state their properties and use in aerial navigation2. Be able to identify different scales and their use in different

types of charts3. Identify specific aviation charts and how they are used in

flight and be able to identify geographical, man made features, airspace and other information on charts

4. Be able to extract from ERSA and other aviation publications information required for flight planning and in flight

1. Chart ProjectionsThe problem we have in describing the Earth on a Chart is in converting a curved section of the Earth onto a flat piece of paper.

Various “Projections” are used to overcome this problem and to suit specific chart applications.

All Projections are a compromise and have their own limitations including how they depict shapes, sizes and distances.

For use in aviation we ideally need charts with the following features;

Correct angular representation between surface features such that parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude intersect at right angles

Surface features are displayed with true shape Constant scale across the chart Rhumb Lines should be represented on a chart as a straight line Great Circles should be represented as a straight line however this will not

be possible where a Rhumb line is represented as a straight line

1. Chart Projections

The World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) and the Visual Navigation Chart (VNC) are Lambert Conformal Conic Projections.

Lambert Conformal Conic Projections


Conformal - Angles and bearings between features are correct. Actual shapes of surface features are correctly displayed.

Latitude – Longitude Grid - Parallels of Latitude and Meridians of Longitude all intersect at 90 degrees.

Great Circles - Great Circles on a Lambert Chart are straight lines. Rhumb Lines - On Lambert Charts Rhumb Lines are curved, concave to the

nearest Pole. Scale – Adjustments are made to made to the latitude scale to limit distortion

of latitudes. Distance – For all practical purposes we can assume a constant scale for

distance. East/West Charts - can be joined perfectly because they come from the same

cone. North/South Charts - can never be joined perfectly because they come from

different cones.

Properties of Lambert Charts

1. Chart Projections Projections

Since the central meridian of the Transverse Mercator can be chosen at will, it may be used to construct highly accurate maps (of narrow width) anywhere on the globe.

The Visual Terminal Chart (VTC) is a Transverse Mercator Projection.

Transverse Mercator Projection


The VTC is designed to provide detailed information on the features and airspace surrounding major airports.

A Transverse Mercator Projection is accurate over a small area such as the area represented by a VTC.

Longitude - Meridians of Longitude can be considered to be straight and parallel.

Great Circles - Great Circles on a Transverse Mercator Chart are a curved line, convex to the nearest Pole.

Rhumb Lines - A straight line must cut each meridian at the same angle and represents a Rhumb Line.

Scale – For all practical purposes we can assume a constant scale for distance.

Properties of Transverse Mercator Charts

2. Identify Aviation Charts

A Chart is a representation of the Earth’s surface and to ensure an accurate as possible representation a constant scale is used across the chart.

The “larger” the scale the more detail can be shown on a Chart.

Scale = Chart Length/Earth Distance

It follows that we should in preparing for a flight and in flight use the largest scale Chart available.

VTC = 1:250,000, VNC = 1:500,000, WAC = 1:1,000,000

Graduated Scale Line

Every Chart has a Scale Line so you can calculate the actual distance represented by a line drawn between 2 points on the Chart.

Chart Scale


Largest scale chart, 1:250,000 Shows the greatest detail and used whenever possible

Only produced for areas with high volumes of traffic

Features include: • Visual reporting points• VFR routes• Danger/Restricted areas• Terminal information• Aerodromes• Controlled airspace • Spot heights• Visual navigation aids• inset for major GA airfields

Visual Terminal Chart (VTC)


1:500,000 scale

Used for planning and in flight

Shows less detail then a VTC but covers the east coast and other major centres

Visual Navigation Chart (VNC)


1:1,000,000 scale

Used on navigation exercises in areas not covered by the VNC

A lot less information than the VTC or VNC. Uses contours and hypsometric tints to show terrain shape and height

World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)


The ERC (L) are drawn to various scales to accommodate significant air traffic route areas and show controlled airspace, prohibited, restricted and danger areas, air routes, ATS and radio navigation services.

Primarily used for IFR flights.

Used by VFR pilots when navigating through areas not covered by a VTC or VNC. You will need a ERC when you undertake a

solo flight to Mildura as a part of your navigation training

Low Altitude En Route Chart (ERC L)


1:8300000 scale

Covers the entire country

Used primarily during the pre-flight planning stages to track weather systems

The back of the PCA also has a list of aerodromes, sorted alphabetically by name showing the four letter ICAO identifier of the location and the ARFOR area in which the aerodrome is located

Planning Chart Australia (PCA)

3. Chart Features

Each Chart has a legend explaining what the symbols on the Chart represent.

You need to be familiar with the legend to be able to quickly identify in flight key geographical features.

Charts (other than WAC) also provide you with radio frequencies, navigation aids and airspace boundaries.

Chart Legends

You must carry Charts in flight for the area you expect to navigate through and they must be current.

4. Aviation Publications (AIP)

Airservices Australia are the government body responsible for Air Traffic Control services and the provision of government air law publications.

The following Airservices Australia Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) publications are available either online or in hard copy format:

• Aeronautical Information Package (AIP) Book• AIP Supplements and Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC)• Departure and Approach Procedures (DAP)• Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH)• En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)

For visual flight you will need a current copy of the AIP and the ERSA.

www.airservicesaustralia.com to order hard copies including an amendment subscription. You can view and print the information from their web site.

Aeronautical Information Package (AIP)

http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/


Jeppesen a company owned by Boeing provides the same information as contained in the AIP.

Some pilots prefer the “Jepps” and you may also find the company you work for has standardised on Jepps for its operations.

CASA permits students to use the Jeppesen Airway Manual in lieu of the AIP in exams.

Note you can either use the AIP or the Jepps in CASA exams but you cannot use parts of each in the exams.

See the CASA web site for details on what you can and cannot take into each exam.

Jeppesen Airway Manual


The ERSA brings together information you need to both plan and a flight and to navigate successfully to your destination and land.

On your navigation flights you must carry a current ERSA.

For the visual pilot ERSA includes information on;

• Airport details including ATC services, runway map and • description, fuel availability, owner contact details• Special Procedures including Fly Neighbourly Advice• Prohibited, Restricted, Danger Area details (PRD)• In Flight Information Services• Weather Information Services• ICAO Airport and Waypoint codes• Emergency Procedures and Survival Guide if you are forced to land• Information on conversions and cross wind calculations

En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA)


ERSA FAC section includes the following information on both Registered and Certified Airports as well as Non Registered and Non Certified Airports

• Name• Elevation• Airfield and runway diagram• Runway distance and surface• Owner details, handling services & facilities• Lighting availability and type• ATC communication facilities• CTAF information• Local traffic regulations and information• Applicable navigation charts

What activities happen at Waikerie airfield that you should be aware of?What is the CTAF frequency for Aldinga airfield?

ERSA FAC


Information relating to Prohibited, Restricted and Danger (PRD) areas can be found in the ERSA PRD section. It states the PRD areas identification, status, hours of operation, controlling authority and type of operations conducted.

Restricted Area (RA) status indicates the likelihood of obtaining a clearance through the area.

• RA 1: Pilots may plan through the area and can expect a clearance from ATC• RA 2: Pilots must not plan through the area unless on a route specified in the

ERSA GEN FPR or under an agreement from the Department of Defence, ATC clearance is not assured

• RA 3: Pilots must not plan through the area and clearance will not be available

What is the status of R255? What is the status of R292A?Explain the reason for establishing D285? When is it active?

ERSA Prohibited, Restricted and Danger Areas


ERSA GEN CON contains various conversion charts and tables including:

• Fuel Weight Table• US to Imperial to Metric Conversions• Distance Conversions• Wind Component Tables

How many metres in 3,450 feet?

How many US gallons in 100 litres of fuel?

Wind is 320 at 20 knots, runway in use is 26, what is the X Wind Component?

Does this exceed the Maximum Demonstrated X Wind Component for the C172?

ERSA Conversions


ERSA EMERG contains a wide range of information on a number of procedures and strategies you can use to survive an emergency including:

• MAYDAY and PAN PAN Use and Calls• Communication Failure Procedures• Light Signals• Emergency Change of Level in Controlled Airspace• Activation of ELT and Search Procedures• First Aid and Surviving After a Forced Landing• Interception of Aircraft Procedures

Find the recommended MAYDAY and PAN PAN phraseologies

Find the procedure to be followed if you suffer a radio failure in Class D airspace

Find the Light Signals to be used in the event of a radio failure

ERSA Emergency information

Questions?

Documents

Aim To develop the skills to use the aviation charts and publications we need to prepare our flight plan and to navigate in flight