USA IFR flight planning

[CL300]

I know...

[dc9-32]

Out of interest, how is that systems such as Jeppesen, PPS & SITA etc, file in the USA using AFTN but the plan isn't on file at the airport of departure. Where does the plan go when you hit the "send" button

Got me thinking now......

[con-pilot]

Here, even people that can't tell the difference between "deepest darkest Africa" and the US ATC systems should be able to figure out how to use this link to file IFR flight plans.

https://www.duat.com/

If this link is too complicated, just call me and I'll file your flight plans.

[Miles Magister]

US IFR FPLs

Con-Pilot

I can not seem to get that system to come up but will keep trying.

However in the mean time, if it helps the Viking you can do it from PPS by typing in the correct AFTN addresses for the FPLs. I do not have my notes on me as it is a little while since I last did it but I think I got the addresses from CAP 555. I check they are in the system by logging into Eurocontrol CFMU.

Quite often the ATC unit at airfields will not have them when you check as they do not normally show up on the airfield computers until 1hr before departure unless they received them on paper.

You can also call the EuroControl CFMU help line who I have found helpful.

Have a nice trip and do not forget to check the differences on approach charts between PANSOPS and TERPS.

MM

[con-pilot]

Con-Pilot

I can not seem to get that system to come up but will keep trying.

Hmm, sorry about that, try this one.

CSC DUATS on the Web

[SNS3Guppy]

Out of interest, how is that systems such as Jeppesen, PPS & SITA etc, file in the USA using AFTN but the plan isn't on file at the airport of departure. Where does the plan go when you hit the "send" button

In the US, flight plans aren't filed at the airport. They're filed nationally. The flight plan goes in a national system. If clearance delivery at the departure airport gets your flight plan, it's because it's in the system, and has just become part of the national airspace system. That's part of the reason that, unlike deepest, darkest Africa, every controller along the way knows who you are and what you are doing...instead of having to explain it over and over as you cross FIR to FIR.

[Buzzz]

Flight Data Centers

Hello,

Once you have hit the 'file flight plan' button on whichever system you are using you can contact the appropriate Flight Data Center and get your CID strip number, and use this if the tower has any issues locating your flight plan. The guys at the Flight Data Center can also see any flight plans coming into the system that have any typographical errors, and if you are nice to them they may correct it for you, rather than rejecting it. Contact details if you need them:

ZAB KZABZQZX ABQ [phone](62)
ZBW KZBWZQZX BOS [phone]
ZOB KZOBZQZX CLE [phone]
ZDV KZDVZQZX DEN [phone]
ZFW KZFWZQZX DFW [phone]
ZAU KZAUZQZX ORD [phone]
ZHU KZHUZQZX HOU [phone]
ZID KZIDZQZX IND [phone]
ZJX KZJXZQZX JAX [phone]
ZKC KZKCZQZX MCI [phone]
ZLA KZLAZQZX LAX [phone](77)
ZME KZMEZQZX MEM [phone]
ZNY KZNYZQZX JFK [phone]
ZOA KZOAZQZX OAK [phone]
ZMP KZMPZQZX MSP [phone]
ZMA KZMAZQZX MIA [phone]
ZSE KZSEZQZX SEA [phone]
ZTL KZTLZQZX ATL [phone]
ZLC KZLCZQZX SLC [phone]
ZHZ PHZHZQZX HNL [phone]
ZDC KZDCZQZX DCA [phone]
ZAZ PAZAZQZX ANC [phone]
ZSU KZSUZQZX SJU [phone]

Cheers,

Buzzz

[gulfstreameric]

Tx Buzz

excellent information

[refplus20]

I have used 'NATS AFPEX' to file plans internally and into and out of the USA with no problem. Go to http://www.flightplanningonline.co.uk to sign up for a free account.

[galaxy flyer]

VIKING9

Must admit, even with 20 years of international experience, I could not, on my own, file a flight plan in the UK. We use Jepp and it is automatic, did file a manual flight plan with the tower in Pointe Noire, Congo once. It worked, much to my amazement.

GF

[His dudeness]

Galaxy, I do flightplans here in Europe nearly daily and I admit that it is total crap. The whole system is a joke, regulations change on a 14 day basis, what was correct one day is different the other etcetc.
Why we have a computersystem that tells you what you CANT do instead of one that tells you what you CAN do is beyond me, all that friggin eurocontrol money goes into that (yeah we pay infrastructure and controllers as well, but the overhead is growing and growing whilst the number of controllers is declining)
So, using an agent or agency such as Jepessen is good advise in Europe.

How anyone can thing our system is 'superior' to yours is just....well, beyond me.

[avfuelman]

Speaking of agents, Jeppesen - others are available.......

[Phil77]

how is it done in the europe

out of pure personal interest (avfuelman: my company uses "the other" flightplanning companies such as Colt for international flights ) - being a german abroad, but never flown in europe... how is flight planning done in europe?
- Is there a quick and easy how-to available online?
- is it true that you need pay for everything, incl. weather?

I'm planning to convert my us licenses for a bit of private flying back home but I certainly have a lot to learn about procedures!

Maybe I'm brainwashed already, but from what I've heard, it sounds (as indicated above) that the european system is much more complicated, complex and sometimes antiquated than the US?

(edited to deleted unnecessary comments that would lead into a p***ing match across the pond )

[merlinxx]

Please don't compare the US with the Eurocontrol zone. In the US you've one system, in the Eurocontrol zone we have very, very many different national authorities and systems which have to be integrated. Just check EUROCONTROL - European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.

[Phil77]

I'm well aware of the regulatory nightmare in the EU (not only in aviation) - after all I lived there for most of my life...

I guess my question was more tongue in cheek, since some people on this forum claim the US system is primative, compared to the EU.

In europe flying is still an old boys club and the "who are you to question our superiority" mentality and regulation gridlock is one of the reasons I work here.

The JAA is a perfect example:
38 years ago the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) was founded - with one of the goals, quote: "Much emphasis is also placed on harmonizing the JAA regulations with those of the USA" - did work well hu?

There is a lot both sides could learn from each other.