TEXT 15. Performance data may be accessed by performance type, by fleet type or by aircraft registration, allowing precise tailoring of performance data for individual

The Flight Plan

(Part 2)

Performance data may be accessed by performance type, by fleet type or by aircraft registration, allowing precise tailoring of performance data for individual aircraft registrations. Basic performance data include climb, cruise, descent data, and altitude limits.

The operational flight plan combines navigation information, en-route weather data and aircraft performance data, together with planned payload, flight levels, alternates, holding fuel, and other specific details for the flight. It includes the navigation log.

Performance data for flight planning is tailored for each individual aircraft. It includes climb, cruise, and descent data for the trip to destination as well as the alternate routes. It also includes altitude limits, contingency fuels and various constants and default maximum weights, taxi fuel flow, holding time, waypoint details, fuel carriage saving information and many other details essential to the pilot during flight.

The example that follows typifies an airline operational flight plan. It contains features common to all such plans. The actual terms and abbreviations used, their position on the plan and the general lay-out may vary. For example, additional information is provided for long distance and ETOPS flight plans.

There are spaces provided on the plan under the headings AREM, ETA, ATA and FL where the pilot fills in actual navigation and performance details as the flight progresses. The completed flight plan, which is the official record of the progress of the flight, must be retained for inspection for a minimum of six months.

Answer the questions:

1. How may the performance data be accessed?

2. What do these data consist of?

3. What does the operational flight plan combine?

4. How are the performance data tailored?

5. What does this information include?

6. What does the example that follows typify?

7. What is the additional information provided for?

8. What are the headings of the empty spaces provided on the plan?

9. What does the pilot fill in these spaces?

10. What is considered to be the official record of the flight progress?

11. Why must it be retained for six months?

TEXT 16

The ATC Flight Plan

Before a flight can operate, the operator must pass specific information about the intended flight to the ATS units concerned, in order to ensure safe and controlled operation within the ATC environment. This is done by filling a flight plan either by computer or manually. The following examples of ICAO ATC plans for EIN521 illustrate the items required:

1. Example of a computer version of the ICAO Flight Plan.

FPL-EIN521-I S

-B73V/ N-SHR/C

-EIDW1135

-N0392 F240 W10

-EICK0031 EINN EIDW

-REG/ EICDF SEL/ ASJQ

-RMK

2.Example of the ICAO Flight Plan form, filled in manually.

The following core items are included:

· Aircraft Registration or Tail number

· Aircraft Type

· Wake Turbulence category

· Communications Equipment

· Departure airport

· Destination airport

· Alternate airport

· Elapsed Time

· Airway routing

· Flight Level

· Speed

Other information may be supplied as required, e.g., estimated en route times or aircraft operator.

Answer the questions:

1. When does the operator have to pass the information about the intended flight to the ATS?

2. Does he have to pass this information to all the ATS units in the country?

3. Why does he have to do it?

4. How is this done?

5. Is the flight plan filled in only manually?

6. How many core items are included in the flight plan filled in manually? Count them.