ICAO or Standard Flight Plans

dans2992

dans2992

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Dans2992
So, ever since fltplan.com started offering ICAO flight plans, I always file in ICAO format. I would wager that eventually, all flight plans will be required to be ICAO.

It's interesting that ForeFlight does not yet support ICAO.

What format to most of you file in?
 
I'm not sure what format Foreflight uses in the background for transmission to the IFR system, but I've never had any problem filing GPS routings with it.
 
I file IFR/G with FSS using normal format. I'll start adding the two dozen ICAO equipment strings when I have to sit down and record the ones that fit my plane.
 
Ron Levy said:
I'm not sure what format Foreflight uses in the background for transmission to the IFR system, but I've never had any problem filing GPS routings with it.
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I thought I heard that there was some circumstance where an ICAO flight plan is required for domestic flights. Is that not true?
 
Palmpilot said:
I thought I heard that there was some circumstance where an ICAO flight plan is required for domestic flights. Is that not true?
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For the vast majority of GA pilots, they are not required. If you plan on using or being assigned an RNAV SID, STAR, or ODP, then you need to use the ICAO format. Most GA pilots don't know what the distinction is between a regular SID, STAR, or ODP and the RNAV variants, much less use the RNAV versions. Most early GPS units are not approved to fly the RNAV SID, STAR, or ODP. At some point there may be an advantage, but with few exceptions, it is not needed by most GA pilots flying in the US NAS. On the other hand, there is no issue with using the ICAO format.
 
John Collins said:
For the vast majority of GA pilots, they are not required. If you plan on using or being assigned an RNAV SID, STAR, or ODP, then you need to use the ICAO format. Most GA pilots don't know what the distinction is between a regular SID, STAR, or ODP and the RNAV variants, much less use the RNAV versions. Most early GPS units are not approved to fly the RNAV SID, STAR, or ODP. At some point there may be an advantage, but with few exceptions, it is not needed by most GA pilots flying in the US NAS. On the other hand, there is no issue with using the ICAO format.
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Since ODPs don't have to be filed, why would the type of flight plan form matter? :confused:

I see that Columbia, CA has an RNAV ODP. How would I find out if the GPS on a rental plane is approved to fly it? Would it just not be in the database if it's not approved?

http://download.aopa.org/ustprocs/current/SW-2/o22_fichu_one_rnav_obstacle.pdf
 
Palmpilot said:
Since ODPs don't have to be filed, why would the type of flight plan form matter? :confused:

I see that Columbia, CA has an RNAV ODP. How would I find out if the GPS on a rental plane is approved to fly it? Would it just not be in the database if it's not approved?

http://download.aopa.org/ustprocs/current/SW-2/o22_fichu_one_rnav_obstacle.pdf
Click to expand...

You need to know the type of GPS. GNS430/530/430W/530W series, GNS480/CNX80, GTN series, or G1000 series are approved. Anything that gets released from this point on will be able to fly it and it will be so indicated in the AFMS. The latest AFMS for the GNS430W/530W for software version 5.03 and the AFMS for the GTN series have the appropriate statements. If the GPS AFMS doesn't cover it, then AC 90-100A calls out a spreadsheet that can be downloaded that lists the approved GPS systems which is all the rest. You can download the spreadsheet at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...fs/afs400/afs470/media/AC90-100compliance.xls

Also, as you figured out, the procedure will not be found in the database if it is not supported by the GPS. It is not permitted to enter the waypoints manually. Details are in AC 90-100A and the spreadsheet. Since new GPS units such as the KSN770 and the IFD540 should cover this with a statement in their AFMS when these units become available.
 
Fore flight, always get direct GPS routing with no problems.
 
From today's NBAA briefing bulletin:

FAA Changing Flight Plan Requirements for PBN Routes
The FAA has removed six suffixes from use with the domestic flight plan form, replacing them with three new ones. This change will assist controllers with some routing decisions by identifying the GNSS capabilities of an aircraft. Operators requiring PBN routing (e.g., RNAV SIDs and RNAV STARs) must use the FAA ICAO flight plan form, must place an "R" in Field 10 and are now required to add specific "PBN/" data in Field 18. These requirements had not been previously enforced, but failure to follow them now will result in rejected flight plans. Additionally, including "NAV/" in Item 18 is no longer required; however, operators can use NAV/ to omit specific PBN procedures. NBAA's Air Traffic Services and Access Committee worked with the FAA to help provide clarity on this situation for Members.
 
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