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How to File an ICAO Flight Plan

June 24th, 2008 |

Author: Paul

I am sure you have heard by now but on June 29, 2008 the FAA is mandating that all pilots who plan on using RNAV departures and arrivals must file an ICAO or international flight plan. Now, you don’t HAVE to accept the RNAV arrival or departure. In fact, you can keep using the old FAA flight plan form, but if you want to or have operational requirements where you need to use the RNAV SIDs and STARs, well you better be familar with the ICAO flight plan form because it is now required to fly those procedures.

I don’t know about you, but an ICAO flight plan can be rather confusing and intimidating at first glance. However, once you go through it a couple of times, it really isn’t that bad. There are a couple of fields that are different and take a little explanation but that’s why I’m here!

In order to help you, I’ve created a short video tutorial describing and explaining the fields found on a FAA form 7233-4 or International Flight Plan form. I have to add a disclaimer. This is not a authoritative all encompassing, everything but the kitchen sink video. This is a very basic, here-is-how-I-did-it, kind of video. I ask that you check, use and consult all references provided by the FAA (not me).

Here are some links to references to use while watching the tutorial:

FAA Form 7233-4 International Flight Plan Form (pdf)

FAA Letter to Airman concerning the change (pdf)

Advisory Circular 90-100A – U.S. RNAV Operations (pdf)

Flight Services – ICAO Flight Plans (the FAA printed version of this tutorial)

Roger’s Runway – If you have a Garmin 430/530 there is some more information here pertaining to RNAV capability

Doc8643 – ICAO Aircraft Type Designators

Information about what to put in Box 18 when filing RNAV

Posted in FAA, Flight Planning, Flight Training, Instrument |

Tags: Flight Planning |

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