CFC Flight Plan Filing & Amendments 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ICAO flight plan item designator is used to indicate that a flight will operate under both IFR and VFR rules (composite flight)?
- Item 8 coded as 'Z'
- Item 15 with 'VFR' inserted at the change point
- Item 18 with 'COMP/' prefix
- Item 8 coded as 'Y' or 'Z' with Item 15 specifying the change point (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Item 8 coded as 'Y' or 'Z' with Item 15 specifying the change point
Item 8 is coded 'Y' (IFR first, then VFR) or 'Z' (VFR first, then IFR), and Item 15 must show the exact waypoint where the flight rules change.
Question 2: When a flight departs earlier than the filed EOBT, what message should the flight communicator send to update ATC systems?
- A CHG message modifying Item 13
- A DEP message with the actual off-block and airborne times (Correct answer)
- A new flight plan replacing the original
- No message is required if the departure is within 30 minutes early
Correct answer: A DEP message with the actual off-block and airborne times
A DEP (departure) message is transmitted once the aircraft departs, providing actual off-block and airborne times to update downstream ATC position data.
Question 3: An international flight plan must include PBN/ in Item 18 when which equipment code appears in Item 10?
- When code 'S' (standard) is listed
- When code 'R' is listed, indicating PBN-approved equipment (Correct answer)
- When code 'G' (GNSS) is listed
- When any navigation equipment beyond VOR is carried
Correct answer: When code 'R' is listed, indicating PBN-approved equipment
When 'R' is entered in Item 10 indicating PBN capability, ICAO requires the specific PBN capabilities to be detailed in Item 18 using the PBN/ designator.
Question 4: A flight plan for a RVSM operation must include which specific notation to indicate approval?
- 'RVSM' in the remarks section
- The letter 'W' in Item 10's equipment suffix (Correct answer)
- A note in Item 19
- RVSM is implied by the assigned FL; no notation is required
Correct answer: The letter 'W' in Item 10's equipment suffix
ICAO requires the letter 'W' to be appended in Item 10 to indicate that both the aircraft and operator are approved for RVSM operations.
Question 5: Under FAA Order 7110.10, when must a flight communicator ensure the overdue aircraft alert process is initiated?
- 30 minutes after the ETA when no arrival report is received (Correct answer)
- Immediately upon the ETA passing without contact
- 60 minutes after the ETA for domestic IFR flights
- Only after the pilot's emergency contact has been notified
Correct answer: 30 minutes after the ETA when no arrival report is received
FAA procedures specify initiating overdue aircraft procedures 30 minutes after the ETA if no arrival report or radio contact has been established.
Question 6: A pilot requests to change the cruising speed from M.82 to M.80 en route over the Atlantic. What is the correct procedure for the flight communicator?
- No update needed; speed changes of less than 5% are automatically accepted
- Coordinate with Oceanic ATC via SELCAL or datalink and update Item 15 speed in a CHG message (Correct answer)
- Instruct the pilot to request the change directly only with the next controlling sector
- File a completely new flight plan from the current position
Correct answer: Coordinate with Oceanic ATC via SELCAL or datalink and update Item 15 speed in a CHG message
Oceanic speed changes must be coordinated with the controlling oceanic unit and reflected in a CHG message to maintain proper separation standards.
Question 7: What is the function of the 'STS/' designator in Item 18 of an ICAO flight plan?
- Indicates special transponder status codes
- Specifies the reason for special handling, such as HOSP for a hospital aircraft or STATE for a state aircraft (Correct answer)
- Provides standard terminal separation codes
- Identifies the status of the aircraft's survival equipment
Correct answer: Specifies the reason for special handling, such as HOSP for a hospital aircraft or STATE for a state aircraft
The STS/ prefix in Item 18 is used to indicate special handling required, such as HOSP (medical), HUMS (humanitarian), or STATE (government/state aircraft).
CFC Flight Plan Filing & Amendments 5
Which ICAO flight plan item designator is used to indicate that a flight will operate under both IFR and VFR rules (composite flight)?