NBAA: New U.S. IFR Flight Plan Format Coming in 2017

NBAA is reminding pilots flying IFR in the U.S. that a new IFR flight plan form is slated to go into effect early next year. Pilots operating internationally or flying RNAV procedures in the U.S. have used the new form, which was developed by ICAO, since 2012. While business aircraft crews should find the form generally familiar, two new fields may give operators pause, NBAA said.

“The ICAO flight plan provides for much greater detail about the capabilities of the aircraft and its crew,” said NBAA Air Traffic Services program manager John Kosak. “The codes placed in Fields 10 and 18 more clearly detail what specific departure, en route and approach clearances you’re able to accept from air traffic control on each flight.”

Rich Boll, chairman of the ATC, airspace and flight technologies working group of the NBAA Access Committee, said that unlike the slash (“/”) codes that pilots have used for decades, the ICAO codes are “intentionally dynamic.” He added, “Equipment on board the aircraft might remain constant, but the operation must maintain OpSpec/LOA and crew training on using it. If those approvals have lapsed, or a piece of necessary equipment has gone MEL, crews might not be able to accept the same clearances.”

Boll emphasized that pilots need to familiarize themselves with the new codes, which are intended to maximize efficiency in the National Airspace System.