Overdoing the "notes" when filing aflight plan?

DMD3.

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Nov 8, 2014
Messages
474
Location
Tifton, Ga
Display Name

Display name:
DMD3.
Whenever filing a flight plan, is there any idea on what the limit would be when giving info to the briefer on the 'notes' section?

For example, if I were an instrument pilot going on my 250 mile instrument flight and I said "student instrument pilot, on required 250 nm flight; I'll need 3 different types of approaches", would this be going overboard? (Three different types of approaches are required for the long instrument x-c)

Another example might be the pilot of a converted turbo-prop Bonanza. I've read sometimes they might have a bit of trouble with ATC giving them their requested higher altitudes because they think that they're in a regular piston Bonanza. Could they add that "they're in a turboprop and can handle the higher altitudes"?

I myself pretty much never said anything other than "student pilot" or "student instrument pilot". But would it be acceptable to add this kind of info?
 
You can probably leave it at, ifr student, multiple approaches then put the airports in the route

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
 
You can probably leave it at, ifr student, multiple approaches then put the airports in the route

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

Good point; I know the idea is to keep it short and sweet. Now that you post this, I imagine the Bonanza pilot could simply put "turbine Bonanza, higher altitudes preferrable" to get the point across.
 
Good point; I know the idea is to keep it short and sweet. Now that you post this, I imagine the Bonanza pilot could simply put "turbine Bonanza, higher altitudes preferrable" to get the point across.
Correct. Just like on the comms, short and sweet does the trick.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk
 
Good point; I know the idea is to keep it short and sweet. Now that you post this, I imagine the Bonanza pilot could simply put "turbine Bonanza, higher altitudes preferrable" to get the point across.

Or he could just file the altitude he wants. Never heard of a controller not giving an altitude cause he "thinks" the airplane can't make the performance. They aren't necessarily going to understand that you are on your long IFR cross country unless that controller is an instrument rated pilot. Just ask for the approaches you want when you get to the airport. Notes should be for things like "NO SID/STARS" if you aren't capable of doing them. Or putting the airplanes full registration if you are using an Angle Flight or Compassion callsign.
 
Wasn't that long ago that controllers would tell us they never saw the notes anyway... The systems wouldn't all do it.
 
Whenever filing a flight plan, is there any idea on what the limit would be when giving info to the briefer on the 'notes' section?

For example, if I were an instrument pilot going on my 250 mile instrument flight and I said "student instrument pilot, on required 250 nm flight; I'll need 3 different types of approaches", would this be going overboard? (Three different types of approaches are required for the long instrument x-c)

Yes, that's going overboard. "TRNG FLT" will suffice. Just tell the controller working the area what approach you want each time.

Another example might be the pilot of a converted turbo-prop Bonanza. I've read sometimes they might have a bit of trouble with ATC giving them their requested higher altitudes because they think that they're in a regular piston Bonanza. Could they add that "they're in a turboprop and can handle the higher altitudes"?
The pilot of a converted turbo-prop Bonanza should file the type aircraft as a B36T, nothing additional in remarks is needed.
 
Last edited:
Wasn't that long ago that controllers would tell us they never saw the notes anyway... The systems wouldn't all do it.

A controller shouldn't tell you that because that's not true. Remarks appear on the strip up to the space available for them. IIRC the limit is 25 characters on terminal strips and 40 on enroute strips. When the filed remarks are longer than the space available the displayed remarks end with a truncation symbol, three asterisks. The full remark is available through a flight plan readout function.
 
Or he could just file the altitude he wants. Never heard of a controller not giving an altitude cause he "thinks" the airplane can't make the performance.

I've been asked about the filed altitude (17,000) by ATC when getting initial clearance a couple of times, but just stated that it was correct and I was turbocharged.
 
Or he could just file the altitude he wants. Never heard of a controller not giving an altitude cause he "thinks" the airplane can't make the performance. They aren't necessarily going to understand that you are on your long IFR cross country unless that controller is an instrument rated pilot. Just ask for the approaches you want when you get to the airport. Notes should be for things like "NO SID/STARS" if you aren't capable of doing them. Or putting the airplanes full registration if you are using an Angle Flight or Compassion callsign.

I've done it a few times. Such as a Skylane filing for FL600. Somebody keyed an extra zero.
 
And as everyone on here probably knows, I don't have that much experience filing flight plans.
 
Nothing wrong with that, but I can tell you when you land at your first airport, your flight plan will probably get closed. Best way is to file a separate flight plan for each leg. Try it and see...
 
Last edited:
Only thing I put in comments is "medevac" since sometimes the STS checkbox gets overlooked.

Outside from that I never use the comments box.




1780819_10203215491566862_2144369470_n.jpg



Think your altimeter setting is a little off up there :wink2:
 
Last edited:
I'd put nothing in the Remarks section. If'n ya feel like ya just gotta then just put TRNG FLT.

What's your CFI say in all this? I'd think filling out the flight plan would be part of his deal.
 
I'd put nothing in the Remarks section. If'n ya feel like ya just gotta then just put TRNG FLT.

What's your CFI say in all this? I'd think filling out the flight plan would be part of his deal.

A good CFII could just be double checking what his student files.
 
Only thing I put in comments is "medevac" since sometimes the STS checkbox gets overlooked.

Outside from that I never use the comments box.




1780819_10203215491566862_2144369470_n.jpg



Think your altimeter setting is a little off up there :wink2:

9,500' ?
 
Only thing I put in comments is "medevac" since sometimes the STS checkbox gets overlooked.

Outside from that I never use the comments box.




1780819_10203215491566862_2144369470_n.jpg



Think your altimeter setting is a little off up there :wink2:
Might want to double check that long hand ;-)
 
I'd put nothing in the Remarks section. If'n ya feel like ya just gotta then just put TRNG FLT.

What's your CFI say in all this? I'd think filling out the flight plan would be part of his deal.


Haven't asked him. I haven't instrument trained in awhile because we don't have a capable aircraft (we're waiting on them to install a gps).
 
A controller shouldn't tell you that because that's not true. Remarks appear on the strip up to the space available for them. IIRC the limit is 25 characters on terminal strips and 40 on enroute strips. When the filed remarks are longer than the space available the displayed remarks end with a truncation symbol, three asterisks. The full remark is available through a flight plan readout function.


Probably ancient info. Thanks for the update. Especially the character limits.
 
Might want to double check that long hand ;-)


My bad :goofy:

I'm used to those altimeters in my plane which hardly breaks 7k MLS and the analog digitalis in the work plane which goes to the FLs.


mea culpa.
 
No worries. When the ICAO flight plan format becomes mandatory next year you won't have much room for Remarks.

Bob Gardner
 
Those remarks re: your IFR 250 can be passed along to each approach or Center controller you speak with before you arrive at each point. Just remember that when you file your IFR Flight plan, it is closed automatically upon landing.
I've heard of a number of students and instructors make low approaches at two airports and then return home and have to do the entire flight over because they never landed to make it a XC.
I would plan each leg separately, and file separate flight plans. Not only will this make it more clear for ATC, but it would be excellent practice for you as an instrument student.
 
Those remarks re: your IFR 250 can be passed along to each approach or Center controller you speak with before you arrive at each point. Just remember that when you file your IFR Flight plan, it is closed automatically upon landing.
I've heard of a number of students and instructors make low approaches at two airports and then return home and have to do the entire flight over because they never landed to make it a XC.
I would plan each leg separately, and file separate flight plans. Not only will this make it more clear for ATC, but it would be excellent practice for you as an instrument student.

Only when the destination is a field with an operating control tower.
 
No worries. When the ICAO flight plan format becomes mandatory next year you won't have much room for Remarks.

Bob Gardner

You can put quite a few remarks in the "other information" section of the 7233/1801.
 
Only when the destination is a field with an operating control tower.

REPORTCANCELLATIONOFIFRONTHISFREQUENCYORFLIGHTSERVICECHANGETOADVISORYFREQUENCYAPPROVED Have a nice day.
 
Back
Top