What must be confirmed before relying on a VTA chart for navigation?

Relying on a VTA (Visual Flight Rules Terminal Area) chart for navigation requires confirming the chart's validity. VTA charts, like all navigational resources, can become outdated due to changes in airspace, procedures, and navigational aids. It is essential to ensure that the version of the chart you are referencing is the most current and corresponds to the current environment and regulations. Checking the chart's validity means verifying aspects like amendments, revisions, and the date of publication, all of which can affect how accurately the chart represents the current navigational landscape.

While the date of publication is a component of chart validity, simply knowing the date does not guarantee that the chart is valid. Local weather conditions and the availability of fuel at the destination, while important for flight planning, do not address the core requirement of ensuring navigational resources are current and reliable when flying.