VFR Navigation Chart (VNC)

A VFR Navigation Chart (VNC) is a topographic aeronautical chart published at a scale of 1:500,000, designed for VFR cross-country navigation. It depicts terrain, geographic features, cities, roads, railways, magnetic variation isogonic lines, VFR waypoints, airspace boundaries, and aerodrome information at a level of detail suitable for navigation at low to medium altitudes.

VNC vs. VTA

• VNC (1:500,000): Broad-area coverage; ideal for cross-country navigation; covers large geographic areas on a single chart
• VTA (1:250,000): Larger scale; more detail; used for VFR navigation in and around major terminal areas where a finer scale aids situational awareness

VNC Currency

VNCs are updated periodically by Nav Canada/Transport Canada. Always check the edition date before flight — airspace changes, new obstructions, and revised procedures may have been incorporated since an older chart was printed. A chart that is even one edition out of date may have incorrect airspace depictions.

Related Terms

See also: VTA, VFR Flight.