Tag: flight planning

Flight Planning Changes in China: Continued Progress

Flight Planning Changes in China: Continued Progress

Traffic is up both to and within China, but for business aircraft operators there can be challenges when flight planning within this region. While we’re seeing progress in terms of higher-level routings and shorter-notice permit approvals, there are still many unknown and/or restricted airways and airports within China where information from the governing authority isn’t [...]

April 16, 2013 | 0 Comments More
Things to Consider When Using Generic Flight Plans

Things to Consider When Using Generic Flight Plans

While generic flight plans can have a place in the preliminary trip planning process, it’s important to understand their limitations. Business jet operators should never use a generic flight plan to file a trip with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and should be aware that such flight plans only approximate aviation fuel burn and range capability [...]

April 3, 2013 | 0 Comments More
Flight Planning, Weather & NOTAMS for Singapore

Flight Planning, Weather & NOTAMS for Singapore

While flight plans, weather, and NOTAMS can be filed and sourced directly by operators, it’s recommended that you use a 3rd-party provider and a ground handler as resources in this process. Be aware of local Singapore operating restrictions as well as best-practice procedures in filing and revising flight plans [...]

March 14, 2013 | 2 Comments More
CPDLC Datalink Changes for 2013

CPDLC Datalink Changes for 2013

Beginning February 7, 2013, the first phase of mandated controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) was implemented on North Atlantic tracks (NAT). Over time, additional CPDLC and automatic dependent surveillance-contact (ADS-C) requirements will facilitate future evolution of the air traffic management system (ATM). These changes will eventually require many business aircraft to be outfitted/retrofitted with updated [...]

February 26, 2013 | 0 Comments More
Tips for Best Flight Plan Results

Tips for Best Flight Plan Results

For the most accurate and operationally useful flight plans, it is important to be as specific as possible in terms of aircraft weights, performance, specific routings, speeds, and flight level requirements. To obtain the most accurate flight plan – in terms of operational efficiency and routings that will be accepted by ATC – work with [...]

January 28, 2013 | 0 Comments More
ETOPS Update for Business Aircraft Operators

ETOPS Update for Business Aircraft Operators

When flying longer routings over water and remote areas, business aircraft operators need to be aware of Extended Operations (ETOPS) rules and required certification. If you’re operating scheduled commercial or charter (non-scheduled commercial) flights, there are ETOPS requirements, certifications and alternate flight plans to note, depending on the aircraft’s state of authority. It’s important to [...]

January 8, 2013 | 1 Comment More
Managing Airway Slots and Slot Delays in Europe

Managing Airway Slots and Slot Delays in Europe

Once you have your airway slots, there are ways to manage them. For business aircraft operators, best practice for avoiding delays is to keep abreast of current airway congestion, and remain in a state of “departure readiness” when faced with last-minute slot delays [...]

December 24, 2012 | 1 Comment More
Business Aviation in Spain: Flight Planning and Airport Operations

Business Aviation in Spain: Flight Planning and Airport Operations

Before conducting operations to Spain – or anywhere else, for that matter – it is critical to understand requirements for flight planning, airport slot and parking. Working with an experienced 3rd-party provider and/or local ground handler can be key in getting it right. In addition, charter (non-scheduled commercial) [...]

December 13, 2012 | 1 Comment More
Customizing Flight Planning Formats for ETP and FIR Boundary Information

Customizing Flight Planning Formats for ETP and FIR Boundary Information

Equal time points (ETPs) and flight information region (FIR) boundary information are significant elements on your flight plan and warrant your attention when reviewing a flight plan format. The flight plan format should contain specific information and relevant calculations for ETPs, which are used when entering into regions [...]

December 5, 2012 | 0 Comments More
Intro to Airway Slots in Europe, Eurocontrol, and the NM

Intro to Airway Slots in Europe, Eurocontrol, and the NM

For business aircraft operators, managing airport slots and airway slots within Europe is something of an art and a science. There are steps you can take to avoid slot delays, and there are effective responses to minimize delays when they occur. Sometimes, though, it comes down to experience and instinct in knowing how to avoid [...]

December 3, 2012 | 3 Comments More
ICAO 2012 – Examples of Flight Plan Changes Coming Soon!

ICAO 2012 – Examples of Flight Plan Changes Coming Soon!

This business aviation blog post continues from our previous article entitled: FAQs on Flight Plan Format Changes for ICAO 2012. New format ICAO 2012 flight plans are just around the corner and involve several important data and format changes that must be understood and adhered to. While many resources are available to business aircraft operators, [...]

November 6, 2012 | 3 Comments More
Customizing Flight Plans – What Your Flight Department Needs to Know

Customizing Flight Plans – What Your Flight Department Needs to Know

For business aviation flight departments – particularly those with large groups of pilots with various skills, techniques and knowledge – standard or generic flight plan formats help maximize consistency and safety. There are many options for customizing flight plans to meet an operation’s requirements in a way that can prove to be effective in keeping [...]

October 24, 2012 | 2 Comments More
NOTAMs, NOTAMs and NOTAMs

NOTAMs, NOTAMs and NOTAMs

Reviewing NOTAMs is a key element in trip planning and the day-of-operation orchestration of a business aviation flight. There are several methods of obtaining NOTAMs, and they can be accessed in different formats, but best practice is to review all NOTAMs for departure, destination, and alternate airport on your flight plan [...]

October 2, 2012 | 7 Comments More
Business Aviation Flight Planning in Australia

Business Aviation Flight Planning in Australia

For most business-aviation operators, flight planning in Australia is a relatively straightforward and user-friendly process. Flexibility of flight plans is good compared to the complexity of other regions around the world. Your 3rd-party provider will typically file operator flight plans, but your local ground handler may be the best resource should you encounter flight plan issues on day of operation [...]

September 11, 2012 | 1 Comment More
11 Essential Tips for Flight Planning in Brazil

11 Essential Tips for Flight Planning in Brazil

For business-aircraft operators, the flight-planning process in Brazil can be complex. Requirements for complying with changing NOTAMS and for completing your flight plan correctly are some of the challenges operators face. Here are some tips to help you navigate the flight planning process in Brazil. [...]

August 2, 2012 | 2 Comments More
FAQs on Flight Plan Format Changes for ICAO 2012

FAQs on Flight Plan Format Changes for ICAO 2012

In 2012, the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) Model Flight Plan Form and filed ICAO flight-plan messages will incorporate some modifications to the PRESENT format. The PRESENT ICAO flight-plan format will not be supported after November 15, 2012 at 0001z. ICAO 2012 will have a major impact on all Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), aircraft [...]

July 30, 2012 | 2 Comments More
International Flight Planning 301: 6 Tips for Routes, Permits, and Revisions

International Flight Planning 301: 6 Tips for Routes, Permits, and Revisions

This aviation blog post is part of a series on international flight planning for business jet operators and continues from our last post “International Flight Planning 201: Random Routes and Route Restrictions.” For business-aviation flights, your ability to revise routes and permits varies depending upon the region of the world and reasons for the revision. [...]

April 23, 2012 | 1 Comment More
International Flight Planning 201: Random Routes and Route Restrictions

International Flight Planning 201: Random Routes and Route Restrictions

This aviation blog post is part of a series on international flight planning for business jet operators and continues from our last post titled “International Flight Planning 101: 5 Things to Know before You Start.” For business-aviation flights, random routes (any routes not established or charted/published or otherwise available to all users) are available in [...]

April 16, 2012 | 2 Comments More
International Flight Planning 101: 5 Things to Know before You Start

International Flight Planning 101: 5 Things to Know before You Start

This aviation blog post is part of a series on international flight planning for business jet operators. For business aviation operators flying internationally, airway and route planning is always a key consideration. The reasoning for this consideration is a range of airway restrictions worldwide: one-way airways, timed airways, domestic only or airline-only airways, as well [...]

April 9, 2012 | 1 Comment More
9 Important Tips for Flight Planning into China

9 Important Tips for Flight Planning into China

This blog post is part of a series on operating to China and continues from our last post “13 Things to Know About Overflight and Landing Permits in China“. While China continues to evolve into a more flexible operating environment, there remain a number of flight planning limitations, restrictions and weather issues to keep in [...]

March 7, 2012 | 3 Comments More
5 Guidelines for Flight-Planning Your Way Through India

5 Guidelines for Flight-Planning Your Way Through India

This business aviation blog post is part of a series on operating to India and continues from our last post titled: 10 Key Pre-Trip Airport Operations Considerations for India. Once your permits for India are approved, you can expect a reasonable window for departure delays, but not for an earlier arrival or departure. Remember that [...]

February 16, 2012 | 2 Comments More