Understanding the Charts a CRP Must Be Able to Use
Charts Are a Core Part of Operational Planning
Aviation maps and charts are used to:
- Identify airspace classifications
- Locate aerodromes and infrastructure
- Understand operational constraints
- Plan safe and compliant operations
For a Chief Remote Pilot (CRP), the ability to read and interpret charts is not optional. It is a fundamental operational competency.
What CRP Candidates Are Expected to Know
A CRP should be able to:
- Identify airspace classes
- Determine proximity to controlled airspace
- Recognise aerodromes and associated requirements
- Understand altitude limits and restrictions
- Use charts to support operational planning
This knowledge is typically assessed through scenario-based questions.
Key Charts for RPAS Operations
Work from the strategic picture down to the detailed one: start with the PCA to orient yourself, then move to the VNC and VTC for the airspace detail you actually operate against.
Planning Chart Australia (PCA)
The PCA is a strategic pre-planning chart. It is a meteorological, briefing and communications planning tool — not an airspace-structure chart.
It shows:
- Aerodrome locations
- Briefing / QNH area identification numbers and zone boundaries
- Graphical Area Forecast (GAF) boundaries and identifiers
- Estimated VHF communication coverage at 5,000 ft and 10,000 ft, and HF network boundaries
- WAC coverage and chart numbers
Why it matters for RPAS:
- Helps you identify the correct area briefing and weather products for your operation, using the briefing/QNH areas and GAF boundaries
- Helps you understand communication coverage outside controlled airspace
- Helps you select the correct detailed charts (which VNC/VTC sheets cover your site) before drilling down
For RPAS operators, the briefing/QNH areas and GAF boundaries are the parts that matter most. These are used when:
- Obtaining an area briefing (for example through NAIPS)
- Identifying which area(s) your operation falls within
- Requesting and interpreting the correct NOTAMs and weather products by region
When you obtain an area briefing, the PCA helps you understand which briefing and forecast areas your operation sits within, so you request and read the right information.
Important: The PCA is a strategic-level chart. It does not depict controlled airspace boundaries or FIR boundaries — for those, use the VNC, VTC or ERC.
It is not suitable for:
- Detailed operational planning
- Site-level airspace assessment
Use it to identify the correct briefing and weather areas and the detailed charts you need — then move to the VNC or VTC for airspace detail.
Visual Navigation Chart (VNC)
VNCs are 1:500,000 charts that cover larger areas than VTCs and are used for broader navigation and flight planning relative to controlled airspace.
They show:
- Airspace classifications and controlled airspace
- Aerodromes
- Restricted and danger areas
- Terrain and obstacles
- Navigation features
Why it matters for RPAS:
- Useful for regional operations
- Helps identify nearby aerodromes and airspace
- Provides the airspace context that the PCA does not
Visual Terminal Chart (VTC)
VTCs are 1:250,000 charts used for operations in and around major controlled aerodromes.
They provide:
- Detailed depiction of controlled airspace
- Control zones (CTR) and steps
- Aerodrome locations
- Visual reporting points
- Significant landmarks
Why it matters for RPAS:
- Essential for operations near major airports
- Used to determine airspace boundaries and restrictions
- Supports planning for controlled airspace access
ERSA – Facilities (FAC) Pages
The En Route Supplement Australia (ERSA) contains detailed information about aerodromes. The FAC (Facilities) pages include:
- Aerodrome location and coordinates
- Runway information
- Frequencies
- Operational notes
- Special procedures
Why it matters for RPAS:
- Provides critical information when operating near aerodromes
- Helps determine communication requirements
- Supports safe integration with other airspace users
Other Charts You Should Be Aware Of
While not always required for day-to-day RPAS operations, CRPs should be aware of the following.
World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)
- 1:1,000,000 scale, part of the ICAO international chart series
- Designed for broad pre-flight planning and pilotage
- Coarser than the VNC and VTC — not suitable for detailed site assessment
- Largely superseded by expanded VNC coverage for planning purposes; confirm current availability with Airservices Australia
Terminal Area Chart (TAC)
- Larger scale and more detailed than the VTC
- Used in high-density, complex terminal airspace
- Provides greater resolution of complex controlled airspace
Instrument Approach Charts (published in the DAP)
- Australian instrument approach procedures are published in the DAP (Departure and Approach Procedures)
- Used by crewed aircraft conducting instrument approaches
- Show approach paths and procedures
Why it matters:
- Helps you understand where crewed aircraft may be operating at low altitude near aerodromes
En Route Charts (ERC – Low and High)
- ERC (Low) support lower-level en route navigation; ERC (High) support high-level operations at FL200 and above
- Show airways, controlled airspace, special use airspace and navigation services
Why it matters:
- Provides context for the broader airspace and airway structure, and where crewed aircraft route
How to Obtain Aviation Charts
Aviation charts and publications are available free of charge from Airservices Australia.
Access method:
- Go to the Airservices Australia website
- Navigate to Flight Briefing, then Charts and Publications
- Download the charts you need — for example PCA, VNC, VTC, WAC and ERSA
Using Charts in RPAS Operations
Charts should be used during:
Pre-Flight Planning
- Identify airspace
- Check proximity to aerodromes
- Determine operational constraints
Operational Risk Assessment
- Identify hazards
- Understand airspace complexity
- Plan controls
Approval Applications
- Support controlled airspace access
- Demonstrate understanding of the operating environment
Common Mistakes
We frequently see operators:
- Not using charts at all
- Misinterpreting airspace boundaries
- Failing to identify nearby aerodromes
- Relying only on apps without understanding the underlying data
- Using the wrong chart for the task (for example, expecting the PCA to show controlled airspace)
Charts provide the source data — tools and apps sit on top of them.
Charts in the CRP Assessment Context
CRP candidates should be able to:
- Identify the correct chart for a scenario
- Interpret airspace and operational constraints
- Apply chart information to operational planning
- Explain decisions based on chart data
Practical Approach
A simple process for using charts:
- Select the correct chart (PCA for orientation, then VNC / VTC)
- Identify the operation location
- Assess surrounding airspace
- Identify aerodromes and constraints
- Cross-check with ERSA (FAC pages)
- Apply findings to planning and risk assessment
How Uncrewed Approvals Can Help
We support operators to:
- Understand and interpret aviation charts
- Apply charts to real-world operations
- Prepare for CRP assessment scenarios
- Integrate chart use into operational workflows
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use charts for every operation?
Yes — charts should be part of standard planning.
Which chart should I use?
PCA for strategic orientation and briefing/weather areas; VNC for regional operations and airspace context; VTC for controlled aerodrome environments.
Are apps enough on their own?
No — you must understand the underlying chart data.
Where do I get charts from?
From Airservices Australia — available free online.
Understand the Airspace Before You Operate
Aviation charts are the foundation of airspace awareness. A professional operator uses them to plan, assess and decide.
If you don’t understand the chart, you don’t understand the airspace.
If you don’t understand the chart, you don’t understand the airspace
