Section 1, Chapter 8 - Flight Plans

Question 1

Is there a formal AIS Unit at Aldergrove for handling flight plans?

Answer 1

No, there is no formal AIS (Aeronautical Information Services) Unit at Aldergrove.

Question 2

What are the procedures for handling flight plans (FPL) received over the AFTN at Aldergrove?

Answer 2

The procedures for handling flight plans (FPL) received over the AFTN at Aldergrove are:

IFPS Direct:

• No action is needed if a FPL is received from EBBDZMFP.

IFR FPL within IFPS Zone:

• If received over the AFTN but not from EBBDZMFP or received directly by telephone or fax, retransmit to EGZYIFPS ensuring correct format.
• Handle CNL/CHG messages similarly.
• Ensure an ACK message is received from EBBDZMFP; otherwise, the FPL will not be accepted.

VFR and IFR Flights Outside IFPS Zone and OAT FPLs:

• Address and retransmit as required by EGAA ATC, ensuring the correct format.

Non IFPS Traffic:

• Inform the pilot/operator that there may be a delay in issuing an ATC clearance unless completed correctly.

Flight Plan Processing:

• ATCOs are not required to file a FPL.
• AFPEx is the NATS online system for GA and companies to file FPLs.
• ATC will no longer file flight plans for operators not based at Aldergrove; Aldergrove based operators are not affected.
• External requests for the filing of flight plans should be politely refused.

Additional Notes:
Free applications like AFPEx and SkyDemon allow operators to file flight plans directly from a PC or mobile device.
General procedures for filing FPLs are in the UK AIP ENR.

Question 3

What are the procedures for handling VFR flight plans at Aldergrove?

Answer 3

The procedures for handling VFR flight plans at Aldergrove include:

Addressing the VFR Flight Plan:

• Address the FPL to the aerodrome of departure, destination aerodrome, and when applicable, the appropriate FIR(s) (e.g., Shannon FIR).
• Address it to the appropriate UK FIR(s).

Inspection of Copperchase Message Manager:

• OSS must inspect the Copperchase Message Manager at regular intervals (e.g., every 10-20 minutes).
• Pay particular attention to VFR DEPARTURE messages.

Handling VFR Departure Messages:

• Calculate an ETA using the elapsed time en-route.
• Annotate the appropriate FPS.
• Send the FPS to the ADC controller.
• Pass the provisional estimate to APC.

Question 4

What is the procedure for handling IFR flight plans from EGAA to destinations outside the IFPS Region?

Answer 4

The procedure for handling IFR flight plans from EGAA to destinations outside the IFPS Region includes:

Additional Addressees:
* Ensure all additional addressees are added to the FPL.
* Include all relevant addressees outside the IFPS Region.
* Specifically, include the destination address if the flight is landing in Canada or the USA.

Question 5

What is Copperchase and what resources are available for its use at Aldergrove?

Answer 5

Copperchase is an AFTN messaging and flight plan terminal that incorporates a departure slot monitor. A Copperchase User Manual is available in the VCR to assist users.