9. UK Law - Flight Planning

Question 1

What are the categories of FPL?

Answer 1

Full FPL:
Filed on Form CA48 or AFPex website
(Assisted Flight Planning Exchange)
Repetitive Flight Plans (RPL)
No longer being provided in the FIRs of the
EUROCONTROL Network Manager area of
operations.
Abbreviated FPL:
Filed on RTF or Telephone.

Question 2

When to file a FPL? (UK)
ADD Additional “when to file a FPL”

Answer 2

Flying over the sea, more than 10nm from the
UK coastline;
Over sparsely populated areas where SAR
operations would be difficult; or,
Into an area in which SAR operations are in
progress.

Question 3

condense
DELAY, MODIFICATION AND CANCELLATION

Answer 3

Flying over the sea, more than 10nm from the
UK coastline;
Over sparsely populated areas where SAR
operations would be difficult; or,
Into an area in which SAR operations are in
progress.

Modifications to a filed FPL, such as a change in
aircraft type, speed, level, route, etc, can be
notified using a change (CHG) message.
It is also important that when any changes or
modifications are made to the original FPL, that a
change (CHG) message is transmitted to all the
addressees that will be affected by the change or
modification. In the case of FPLs filed with IFPS, and
as long as the CHG message is sent to them, IFPS will
do this automatically for the IFR portions of the FPL.

Any changes to aircraft callsign, point of
departure and/or destination will require the
original FPL to be cancelled and a new FPL
submitted.
A Cancellation (CNL) message must be sent.

Question 4

condense
Airborne times

Answer 4

ATSU will normally process airborne times for
aircraft from their aerodrome & send DEP
messages when required.
Where there is no ATSU it is the pilot’s
responsibility to ensure his airborne time is
passed to the ATSU with whom FPL filed -
‘Responsible Person’.

In the event of the aircraft failing to arrive
at the destination aerodrome within 30 minutes
of the notified ETA, the responsible person
must immediately advise the AFPEx helpdesk in
order that alerting action may be commenced
by ATC.
The AFPEx Helpdesk will commence Overdue
Action on behalf of a nominated ‘responsible
person’, but will not act as the responsible
person on behalf of the pilot.

A DEP message is not required if an IFR FPL has
been filed with IFPS and the flight will operate
solely within the IFPS Zone.
DEP messages must always be sent for VFR FPLs
and IFR FPLs operating outside Controlled
Airspace (CAS) or outside the IFPS Zone.

Question 5

Filing and distribution - IFR

Answer 5

Flights wholly within the IFPS Zone: EUCHZMFP
& EUCBZMFP
Flights overflying or exiting IFPS Zone: all
subsequent appropriate ATSU addressees must
be included.
Will not accept Flight Plans more than 120 hrs in
advance.
Flights not commencing within 24 hrs,
Estimated Off Block Date (EOBD) to be shown.

Question 6

Filing and distribution - VFR

Answer 6

VFR Flight Plans are not covered by IFPS.
Addressed to Destination Aerodrome and
appropriate FIR &/or Foreign FIRs also route
charges (if app)
UK Addresses:
EGZYVFRT – London FIR
EGZYVFRP - Scottish and Oceanic FIRs

Question 7

SVFR - Flight Plans

Answer 7

Full FPL - Not required but pilot may give
details: callsign, type and intentions, however:
A Flight Plan is required if destination to be
informed, with “I” written in Item 8 and any part
of the route needing SVFR clearance, stated in
Item 15 designating the point(s) at which you
intend to enter or leave CTR, and SVFR as the
routeing within the CTR.
Once in contact, if unable to accept flight in
IMC, pilot must inform ATC.

Question 8

What is booking out?

Answer 8

Pilots who do not file a full Flight Plan, are still
required, under SERA.4001(c), to inform the
ATSU at the aerodrome of their departure.
Typically, in the UK this is referred to as
‘BOOKING OUT’.
The ATSU will record the departure.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED.