Airplane Flight Plan Reference Material

Flight plans

A flight plan is filed by a pilot with the Aviation Authority of that area before flight. The information included is points of departure and arrival, estimated timing, alternate airports for landing, type of flight, number of passengers as well as the pilot’s name. There are three routing types when creating flight plans. Airway routing is along airways which are predefined “highways”.

There are particular rules for altitude, airspeed and entering and exiting these airways. Navaid routing is between Navigational Aids (where airways intersect). These are only allowed in continental America. Direct routing refers to route segment endpoints are not located at a Navaid. Flight levels in aircraft flight planning specify cruising altitude. They are important to ensure safety of the vertical division of aircraft. Alternate airports must be determined in the flight plans in case of unfavorable conditions at the destination airport. Consideration of projected weather and the weight of the aircraft are important to estimate fuel consumption.