This series comprises charts and photographs from the Topographic  Survey Branch, Laser Sub-Section of National Mapping. The charts and prints are the product of aerial survey trips using a camera and a Laser Profile Recorder. The plane closely navigates a previously designated "Laser Line" across a specific geographical area, and the terrain profile is recorded on 70mm film and onto a chart by Laser beam. The information on the film and chart is then transposed onto photographic prints and paper at the office, and used to calculate heights and distances.

Most of the Australian continent has been covered by this process;  the surveyed areas are shown on a map of Australia, and on map sheets showing individual survey areas and designated Laser lines (flight paths) As a chart and a film provide the same information about the same geographical area, they are stored together in small yellow boxes. Sometimes, one reel of film may cover the information on two chart rolls. 

The charts and films are identified at one end by their own serial numbers. A film may be labelled:- APR/F/3027 C, Collier, 7.12.'78, L 588, which means:- "APR" is a constant prefix indicating Airborne Profile Recorder; "F" is Western Australia; 3027 is the Laser line number (always single number); "C" indicates Collier (the next entry) - which is the geographical area detailed on a map sheet; next is the date; and L588 is the corresponding chart number and box number. A chart may be labelled F/3027/ 7.12.'78, L589 :- indicating the same information as above with L589 being the chart number and the box number. A simplified entry in the register may appear as:

 Laser line Chart (no) Film (no)
 3026 L588 L588
 3027 L589 L589
 
Given that one film may cover two charts (and two Laser lines) as in this case, for Laser line 3027 one would need to look at chart number L589 (inbox 589) and film in box 588.

The map sheets and the register allocate the Laser line number, and the register allocates the chart (box) numbers. It is the box number which would be the primary basis for information retrieval.

This material does not require any special storage conditions, however the information on the charts from the Laser Profile Recorder will fade if exposed to light for any length of time.

Archives holds APR charts dating back to 1967; and it seems
this function may only continue for another couple of years, by which time all projected surveys will be completed.
 
The series date range on this registration was ended arbitrarily by the Australian Archives during a review in 1993/94 as no consignments for this series had been transferred for more than 10 years. If a further consignment is transferred, the date range will be revised in line with agency advice.
Quantity in agency custody
c. 65m.: held by CA1780, Division of National Mapping, Melb. Office

Previous series unregistered

Aerodist Charts, by 1962-1970

Related series unregistered

Register to Laser profile charts and photographs, single number series, ?1967- Map sheets, ?1967-