What is the primary use of Visual Planning Charts in New Zealand?

Visual Planning Charts in New Zealand are primarily used for visual navigation planning. These charts provide pilots with critical information to plan flights by offering a comprehensive view of geographical and navigational features, including airspace boundaries, significant landmarks, and various terrain types. Pilots utilize these charts to assess routes, gauge distances, and identify potential hazards, ensuring they can effectively plan their flights in a way that promotes safety and efficiency.

While they do serve a role in inflight navigation and can be referenced during emergencies or when creating flight plans, their main function is centered around assisting pilots before a flight to make informed choices about the routing and navigation in the airspace they're operating in. This advance planning is essential for safety and situational awareness during the flight.