ICAO Flightplan Form Basics

Some verbiage and examples adapted directly from PANS-ATM ICAO Doc 4444 Amdt 1. For EuroFPL use and reference only.
As of ICAO 2012, the date of fight (DOF/) fgure is more
widely recognized, and many more authorities world-
wide will now accept flings as far out as fve days ahead.
The [+1] [+3] and [+24 hrs] links will automatically set
TIME and DATE OF FLIGHT fgures 1, 3, or 24 hours ahead
of the current time. If these felds arent flled in, the
system will presume a departure in one hour. If a TIME
value is entered that is before, or less than 30 minutes
ahead of, the current time, DATE OF FLIGHT will fll
automatically with the next days date. Otherwise, the
current date will be entered.
Did you know?
i.e. 121015, 130122...
Six-digit date of fight in the format YYMMDD, where YY
is the last two digits of the year, MM is a two-digit
representation of the month, and DD is a two-digit
representation of the calendar day (all with leading zeroes
where necessary).
DATE OF FLIGHT
i.e. N123B, GCABC, KLM672, SWIFT45...
Aircraft registration letters/tail number or an ICAO agency
designator with fight number. ICAO 2012 strictly enforces
that this fgure should be letters and numbers only, devoid
of dashes, spaces, or other punctuation.
7 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION
i.e. Departing VFR, cruising IFR, and landing VFR? File Z.
i.e. P46T, EA50, C182...
Denotes the category of fight rules: I for IFR, V for VFR,
Y for when the fight will be initially IFR followed by one or
more subsequent fight rules changes, and Z for VFR frst
with any number of subsequent changes. When a Y or Z
fight is prepared, VFR or IFR must be entered in the route
string wherever the transitions/changes to the fight rules
are planned to occur.
8 FLIGHT RULES
Type of aircraft, as specifed in the latest ICAO Doc 8643, by
the appropriate designator. A search for this designator
code can be performed online at:
If no designator exists for your aircraft, or there is more than
one type of aircraft in your fight, enter ZZZZ here and
specify number and type(s) in 18 OTHER INFORMATION
preceded by TYP/ tags.
TYPE OF AIRCRAFT
Number of aircraft in fight, if more than one. This fgure is
omitted if the fight is only a solo aircraft movement.
9 NUMBER
Denotes the type of fight as follows: S for Scheduled Air
Service, N for Non-scheduled Air Transport Operation, G
for General Aviation, M for Military, and X for everything
else. Other special fight status and handling considerations
can be relayed via the 18 OTHER INFORMATION felds STS/
and RMK/ indicators.
TYPE OF FLIGHT
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http://www.icao.int/publications/DOC8643/Pages/Search.aspx
ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
Some verbiage and examples adapted directly from PANS-ATM ICAO Doc 4444 Amdt 1. For EuroFPL use and reference only.
The nature and scope of the [ICAO 2012] amendment is to
update the ICAO model fight plan form in order to meet
the needs of aircraft with advanced capabilities and the
evolving requirements of automated air trafc manage-
ment (ATM) systems, while taking into account compat-
ibility with existing systems, human factors, training, cost
and transition aspects."
ICAO State Letter (AN 13/2.1-08/50) - 25 June 2008
Did you know?
Wake turbulence category of aircraft as specifed in ICAO
Doc 8643 or based on weight and the following options: L
for Light (< 7,000 kg), M for Medium (7,000 to 136,000 kg),
H for Heavy (> 136,000 kg), and J for Jumbo
(exceptionally heavy aircraft such as the Airbus A380-800). A
search for the category can be performed online at:
WAKE TURBULENCE CAT.
The ICAO 2012 amendment includes extensive changes to
the COM/NAV equipment codes used in the FPL message
format. These changes and EuroFPLs helpful ICAO 2012
Equipment Wizard are explained in-depth on the next page
(Page 3) of this briefng.
10 EQUIPMENT
i.e. EKRK, BIKF, LFPG, CYYR, ZZZZ...
i.e. 0615, 1342, 2305...
i.e. K0830, N0485, M082...
i.e. F330, M0840, A045...
Four-character location indicator of the departure
aerodrome, AFIL if fled in the air, or ZZZZ if no ofcial
designator exists in ICAO Doc 7910. In the latter cases, ICAO
2012 strictly states that the aerodrome name or primary fx
with location (degrees and minutes ddmmNdddmmE
format preferred) be entered in 18 OTHER INFORMATION
preceded by a DEP/ tag.
13 DEPARTURE AERODROME
Planned cruising level for the initial or whole cruise segment
of the fight, indicated as: F for Flight Level in 100s of feet,
A for plain altitude in 100s of feet (both three-digit), S for
Standard Metric Level in tens of metres, M for plain
altitude in tens of metres (both four-digit), or V for
uncontrolled VFR (number feld left blank).
LEVEL
True airspeed for the initial or whole cruise segment of the
fight, indicated as: N for Knots, followed by a four-digit
fgure, M for Mach number followed by a three-digit
representation of ratio, or K for Kilometers/hour followed
by a four-digit number.
15 CRUISING SPEED
Planned time of departure (UTC) in 24-hour HHMM format,
where HH is a two-digit representation of the hour, and
MM is a two-digit representation of the minutes past the
hour (with leading zeroes where necessary).
TIME
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http://www.icao.int/publications/DOC8643/Pages/Search.aspx
ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
10 EQUI PMENT - - EuroFPL I CAO 2012 Equi pment Wi zard
The Equipment Wizard aims to provide users with an organized graphical interface for the many equipment designators employed in this new format. Input
can be achieved by typing codes directly into the text felds, or by selecting the checkboxes for equipment carried. NIL can be selected under either column
to signify that there is no equipment and/or surveillance capability for the aircraft. Clicking the + option will reveal the various items as follows:
VHF RTF/VOR/ILS (S) - Standard COM/NAV Setup
GBAS (A) - Ground Based Augmentation System
LPV (APV/SBAS) (B) - Localizer Performance with
Vertical Guidance (Infers Satt.-Based Augmentation)
LORANC (C) - LORAN-C Radionavigation
DME (D) - Distance Measurement Equipment
ADF (F) - Automatic Direction Finder
GNSS (G) - Global Navigation Satellite System
HF RTF (H) - HF Radiotelephone
INERTIAL NAV (I) - Aircraft Inertial Guidance
CPDLC (Multiple) - Controller-Pilot Data Link
ATC RTF SATCOM (Multiple) - Radiotelephone Satt.
MLS (K) - Microwave Landing System
ILS (L) - Instrument Landing System
VOR (O) - VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range
PBN (R) - Performance-Based Navigation
TACAN (T) - Tactical Air Navigation System
UHF RTF (U) - UHF Radiotelephone
VHF RTF (V) - VHF Radiotelephone
RVSM (W) - Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum
MNPS (X) - Minimum Navigation Performance Spec.
VHF 8.33 (Y) - 8.33 kHz Radio Channel Spacing
OTHER (Z) - Other Item(s) Not Listed Above
MODE A (A) - Mode A Transponder
MODE S (S) - Mode S Transponder
ADS-B/1090 MHz (Multiple) -1090 MHz Out/In
ADS-B/UAT (Multiple) - Universal Access Trans. Out/In
ADS-B/VDL M4 (Multiple) - VHF Digital Mode 4 Out/In
ADS-C/FANS 1/A (D1) - Sur. Contract Future Air Nav.
ADS-C/ATN (G1) - Sur. Contract Aeronautical Telecom
MODE A/C (C) - Mode A Transponder with Mode C
S/[...] (Multiple) - Mode S Transponder with or without...
ID - Aircraft Identication
ADS-B - Surveillance Broadcast DLINK - Data Link
PALT - Pressure Altitude
ACARS (Multiple) - Addressing and Reporting System
http://contentzone.eurocontrol.int/FPL/
* New indicators added to describe complex compliment items.
* The S indicator VHF RTF/VOR/ILS is no longer inclusive of ADF.
* If PBN is specifed, Field 18 requires corresponding PBN/ data.
* If OTHER is specifed, Field 18 requires COM/, NAV/, or DAT/.
For a good overall online reference see also:
Key Changes:
GNSS augmentation NAV/ data in Field 18 optional.
PBN requires corresponding PBN/ data in Field 18.
OTHER requires corresponding COM/, NAV/ or DAT.
EQUIPMENT
SURVEILLANCE
ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
Some verbiage and examples adapted directly from PANS-ATM ICAO Doc 4444 Amdt 1. For EuroFPL use and reference only.
If you don't enter a TOTAL EET fgure, a temporary fgure
is automatically calculated upon STORE/UPDATE that is
based on great circle distance and basic cruise speed (no
winds) to allow for easy validation of the fightplan. After
running a navigation log, a more accurate TOTAL EET
fgure can be entered along with EET/ entries in the 18
OTHER INFORMATION feld where appropriate.
Did you know?
A string of points (and connecting airways or DCTs where
applicable) describing an ATS route or path of fxes no more
than 30 minutes fying time or 200nm apart, including those
points where a change of speed, level, track, or fight rules is
planned. Points can be listed by their coded designator (i.e.
LN, MAY, HADDY), a 7 or 11-character representation of their
coordinates (i.e. 46N078W, 4620N07805W), or a point
relative to a reference point based on bearing and distance
(i.e. DUB190040 being 40nm out on the 190 degree
magnetic bearing from DUB).
Change of speed and/or level is indicated by appending
data formatted as in 15 CRUISING SPEED and LEVEL to a
point, after a slash (i.e. MAY/N0305F180,
46N078W/M082F330). Change of fight rules are shown by a
standalone VFR or IFR to indicate the beginning of that
phase of fight.
ROUTE
Four-character location indicator of the destination
aerodrome or ZZZZ if no ofcial designator exists in ICAO
Doc 7910. In the latter case, ICAO 2012 strictly states that
the aerodrome name or fnal fx with location (degrees and
minutes ddmmNdddmmE format preferred) be entered in
18 OTHER INFORMATION preceded by a DEST/ tag.
16 DESTINATION AERODROME
i.e. 0142, 0305, 0047...
i.e. EKRK, BIKF, LFPG, CYYR, ZZZZ...
i.e. EKRK, BIKF, LFPG, CYYR, ZZZZ...
i.e. 0142, 0305, 0047...
Total estimated enroute time in HHMM format, where
HH is a two-digit representation of the hours and MM is a
two-digit representation of minutes in fight (with leading
zeroes where necessary).
TOTAL EET
Total fuel endurance in HHMM format, where HH is a
two-digit representation of the hours and MM is a
two-digit representation of minutes of fuel (with leading
zeroes where necessary).
19 ENDURANCE
The ICAO 2012 amendment includes extensive changes to
the way data is presented and ordered for Field 18 data in
the FPL message format. These changes and EuroFPLs
helpful ICAO 2012 Other Information Wizard are explained
in-depth on the next page (Page 5) of this briefng.
18 OTHER INFORMATION
Four-character location indicator of the alternate
aerodrome(s) or ZZZZ if no ofcial designator exists in
ICAO Doc 7910. In the latter case, ICAO 2012 strictly states
that the aerodrome name(s) with location (degrees and
minutes ddmmNdddmmE format preferred) be entered in
18 OTHER INFORMATION preceded by a ALTN/ tag.
(2ND) ALTN AERODROME
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ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
18 OTHER I NFORMATI ON - - EuroFPL I CAO 2012 Other I nf ormati on Wi zard
http://contentzone.eurocontrol.int/FPL/
* For IFPS Flights Only
* New indicators have been introduced, some retracted.
* The sequence that indicators should appear in is now compulsory.
* Any given indicator can only appear ONCE in Field 18.
* Hyphen (-) and oblique stroke (/) characters forbidden in data.
* STS/ indicator is no longer free-text.
* PBN/ is now mandatory to detail PBN equipment capabilities.
* NAV/ entry is required when GNSS equipment is specifed.
For a good overall online reference see also:
Key Changes:
The Other Information Wizard aims to provide users with an organized graphical interface for the many new designators employed in the new ICAO 2012
format. Input can be achieved by typing data directly into the text box, or by selecting an indicator type from the menu and entering data into the
corresponding row. For the best success, the data felds should only contain alphanumerical characters and spaces. Other punctuation may be forbidden.
STS/ - Indicators for Special Handling by ATS
PBN/ - RNAV and/or RNP Capability Indicators
*EUR/ - Protected Status Indicator for IFPS
NAV/ - Nav. Equipment Data and GNSS Augmentation
COM/ - Comm. Equipment Not Specied in Field 10
DAT/ - Data Capabilities Not Specied in Field 10
SUR/ - Surveillance Capabilities Not Specied in Field 10
REG/ - Aircraft Registration if Dierent Than Field 7
EET/ - Estimated Enroute Time(s) in HHMM format to
Signicant Fixes or FIR Boundaries
SEL/ - SELCAL Code For Applicable Aircraft
TYP/ - Number and Type(s) of Aircraft if ZZZZ in Field 8
CODE/ - Aircraft Address Code in Six Hexadecimal Chars.
*RVR/ - Runway Visual Range Requirement in Metres
DLE/ - Enroute Delay or Holding Point with HHMM Time
OPR/ - ICAO Designator or Name of Aircraft Operator
PER/ - Aircraft Performance Category Where Applicable
ALTN/ - Name/Coords (ddmmNdddmmE) of Destination
Alternate Aerodromes if ZZZZ in Field 16.
RALT/ - Enroute Alternates
TALT/ - Take-o Alternates
RIF/ - Route Details to Revised Destination Aerodrome
RMK/ - Plain Language Remarks Where Necessary
*STAYINFO/ - IFPS Indicators for Stay Activity
*RFP/ - Replacement Flightplan Indicator for IFPS
DEP/ - Name/Coords (ddmmNdddmmE) of Departure
Aerodrome When ZZZZ Specied in Field 13
i.e. NAV/SBAS
i.e. DEP/CROSLAND 5337N00149W
i.e. EET/CAP0745 EHAA0830
DEST/ - Name/Coords (ddmmNdddmmE) of Destination
Aerodrome When ZZZZ Specied in Field 16
i.e. DEST/VENLO 5123N00603E
i.e. ALTN/TOUL 4846N00558E
i.e. DLE/MDG0030
Multiple entries of the same type will be automatically concatenated
except for items such as STAYINFO entries which will be numerically
sequenced in the order that they appear.
ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
Some verbiage and examples adapted directly from PANS-ATM ICAO Doc 4444 Amdt 1. For EuroFPL use and reference only.
Due to ICAO Doc 4444 convention and the strict nature of
many authorities Flight Data Managers, fightplan
supplemental data is often only transmitted to AROs and
other full-service ofces, and not included when transmit-
ting directly to towers and area controllers. Because of
this, it is often wise to copy your pilot contact info (phone)
to an 18 OTHER INFORMATION RMK/ entry, so that you
can be contacted directly by all parties if a timely
resolution is sought for any issues with your fight.
Did you know?
Total number of persons including passengers and crew that
will be onboard, or TBN (To Be Notifed) if unknown at time
of fling.
PERSONS ON BOARD
Please note that any available equipment or features should
be CLICKED ON here. The printable PDF version of the form
will reverse these selections as per the convention of
crossing out equipment and features that are not available.
Select UHF here if you are able to receive and xmit at 243.0
MHz, VHF here if you are able to receive and xmit at 121.5
MHz, and/or ELBA if an emergency location beacon is
present on the plane.
EMERGENCY RADIO
Please note that any available equipment or features should
be CLICKED ON here. The printable PDF version of the form
will reverse these selections as per the convention of
crossing out equipment and features that are not available.
Select the appropriate items indicating what types of
survival equipment, if any, are carried.
SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT
Total capacity, in persons, of all dinghies carried. Leave
blank if none.
DINGHIES (CAPACITY)
The number of survival dinghies carried onboard. Leave
blank if none.
DINGHIES (NUMBER)
Please note that any available equipment or features should
be CLICKED ON here. The printable PDF version of the form
will reverse these selections as per the convention of
crossing out equipment and features that are not available.
Select LIGHT if your life jacket(s) are lighting equipped,
FLUORES if fuorescein equipped, and UHF or VHF if
radio equipped.
JACKETS
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ICAO Flightplan Form Basics
Some verbiage and examples adapted directly from PANS-ATM ICAO Doc 4444 Amdt 1. For EuroFPL use and reference only.
Custom PREFERRED CONTACT settings (such as ACK
messages via SMS) for a pilot are going to be dependant
on the PILOT-IN-COMMAND value attached to a
fightplan. Our system will typically look to the exact
value provided by the Flightplan Builders Load Pilot
menu to determine what custom contact settings to
honor for an operational message. This value typically
includes the pilots surname, frst initial, and mobile
contact number.
Did you know?
Check this box if the dinghies have protective canopies.
DINGHIES (COVER)
Plain text description of the dinghies primary color.
DINGHIES (COLOR)
Plain text description of aircraft color and any signifcant
livery markings or characteristics.
AIRCRAFT COLOR AND MARKINGS
Name and preferably phone contact information of the pilot
in command. Including phone contact information helps in
those rare cases that timely clarifcation or further informa-
tion is required by ATC accepting the fight.
PILOT-IN-COMMAND
Indicate any other survival equipment carried and/or other
remarks specifcally regarding survival equipment and
search-and-rescue (SAR) information.
REMARKS
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