Flight Planning 101

When you learn to fly an aircraft, you would also have to learn about the other aspects of aviation since you’ll be immersing yourself in it once you have been issued as a certificate. One concern that is universal to all pilots in the industry is the filing of a flight plan. In the US, the FAA still you to fly without having to file a plan with the agency as long as your holding a private pilot license, because you’re not earning any money from it. However, it is still required for you to learn how to file a flight plan because it can be useful later on when you upgrade your certificate to pursue a career as an aviator.

Filing a Flight Plan

In order to file a flight plan, you would have to fill up a flight plan form. In here, you will have to provide the FAA with the certain information including the following:

• ·         Tail number designation, which also acts as your callsign.
• ·         Aircraft type and specifications.
• ·         The true airspeed that your airplane is capable of, in knots.
• ·         Intended airport of departure, and proposed departure time.
• ·         Airport of destination, and estimated time you think you think your flight is going to take.
• ·         Crew and passenger information.
• ·         Alternate airports in case of emergency.
• ·         Initial cruise altitude.
• ·         Pilot contact information.

The flight plan is very detailed. Once you have filled out the form, you can then file it by calling your local flight service center by phone or by filing it online. There are many flight plan filing services that does it online for you, including DUATS.

Opening Your Flight Plan

It is not enough to simply file a flight plan. In order for the flight plan to become active, you would have to open it up after you have taken off. Such a service is available through your local flight service centers and VORs, and is done through the radio. To do that, you would have to contact the frequency specified in the communication box of the area you are flying in and inform them that you want to have your flight plan opened. Take note that, in some areas, you have to use two frequencies: a “transmitting” frequency through which you talk to the flight center and a “receiving” frequency where you can receive transmissions from them. You can find this information in the communications box.

Closing Your Flight Plan

The last step is to close your flight plan as soon as you can after you have touched down. This is necessary, or the FAA will come looking for you. It’s easy... you just give your local flight service center a phone call notifying them that you have completed your flight and would like to have the plan closed.