IFR Flight Plan

FAR 91.169(a) – IFR Flight Plan: Information Required

Information required under FAR 91.153 – VFR Flight Plan: Information Required –

• Aircraft tail number and call sign
• Aircraft type
  • Formation – number of aircraft and type of each
• PIC full name and address
  • Formation – each participant listed
• Departure point and time
• Proposed route, altitude and cruising speed
• First point of intended landing, time enroute
• Fuel in hours
• Number of Occupants
• Necessary info for ATC

Alternate airport

• Except FAR 91.169(a)(2) 123 Rule

AIM 5-1-6 –

• File at least 30 minutes prior to estimated departure
• Non-scheduled flights above FL230 should be filed at least 4 hours before est. departure time

How to File

• By phone  1-800-WX-BRIEF
• Online  1800wxbrief.com
• EFB  ForeFlight
• ATC  radio
• Pop-up

Pop-Up IFR Clearance

• Allows pilots to transition from VFR to IFR without a previously filed flight plan
• Must climb to minimum IFR altitude, subject to ATC workload

AIM 5-1-6  IFH 1-5  Chart Supplement

Guides pilots in planning their routes of flight, minimizing route changes, and aiding in the orderly management of air traffic

FAR 91.177 – IFR minimum altitudes

FAR 91.179 – IFR cruising latitude

FAR Part 95

• IFR cruising altitudes are assigned by ATC
• Uncontrolled airspace below FL290 –
  • 0° – 179° ODD thousands (or FL)
  • 179° – 359° EVEN thousands (or FL)

FAR 91.169(b) – No Alternate

An alternate airport is not needed if destination airport has an available published instrument approach procedure and for 1 hour before and 1 hour after estimated arrival time weather reports indicate ceiling > 2,000’ AGL and visibility ≥ 3 sm

123 Rule   Alternate Not Needed If…

For 1 hour before and after ETA
Ceiling > 2,000’ AGL
Visibility ≥ 3 sm

FAR 91.169(c) – Weather Minimums

To use an airport as an alternate, weather reports at the estimated time of arrival must indicate –

• Precision Approaches – ceiling ≥ 600’ / visibility ≥ 2 sm
• Nonprecision Approaches – ceiling ≥ 800’ / visibility ≥ 2 sm
• No Approach Procedure – ceiling / visibility allow descent from MEA, approach and landing under Basic VFR

Choosing Alternates

1. Check for IAP
2. Check weather at ETA
3. Precision approach – weather ≥ 600’ / 2 sm
4. Nonprecision approach – weather ≥ 800’ / 2 sm
5. A  on plate – use nonstandard alternate minimums TPP
6. A NA  on plate – alternate not allowed

GPS Considerations

AIM 1-1-17b.5 – GPS Instrument Approach Procedures

AIM 1-1-18c.9 – WAAS Alternate Requirements

AIM 1-2-3d – RNAV Alternate Considerations

No WAAS

Flight plan can be based on GPS approach availability at either the destination or the alternate, but not at both

WAAS without Baro-VNAV

Flight plan may be filed based on LNAV or circling minima at the alternate (regardless of available approaches)

WAAS with Baro-VNAV

LNAV/VNAV or RNP 0.3 are allowed as basis for the flight plan’s alternate (Requires Special Authorization & RNP availability)

FAR 91.167 – Fuel Requirements

Departure to destination + alternate + 45 minutes at cruise

FAR 91.173 – ATC clearance and flight plan required

FAR 91.181 – Course to be flown

CRAFT

Clearance limit
Route
Altitude
Frequency departure
Transponder code

AIM 5-2-6 – Abbreviated Departure Clearance

“Cleared ––– as filed ––– “

Clearance Void Time

• Time at which clearance is void and you may not takeoff
• You must notify ATC within 30 min after the void time if you did not depart

Hold for Release

You may not takeoff until being released for IFR departure

Release Time

The earliest time the aircraft may depart under IFR

Expect Departure Clearance Time

• A runway release time given under traffic management programs in busy airports
• Aircraft are expected to depart no earlier and no later than 5 minutes from the EDCT

FAR 91.183  91.187

AIM 5-3-3 – Additional Reports

MARVELOUS VFR C500

Missed approach
Airspeed change ±10kn or ±5%
Reaching a holding fix
VFR-on-top altitude change
ETA change more than 3 mins  no radar
Leaving a holding fix
Outer marker inbound  no radar
Unforecasted weather  FAR 91.183
Safety of flight issues  FAR 91.183
Vacating an altitude
Final approach fix inbound  no radar
Radio or nav failure
Compulsory reporting points  no radar  FAR 91.183
500 FPM climb or descent unable

FAR 91.169(d) – IFR Flight Plan: Cancellation

When a flight plan has been activated, the pilot in command, upon canceling or completing the flight under the flight plan, shall notify an FAA Flight Service Station or ATC facility

AIM 5-1-15

Pilots can cancel anytime in flight if out of IMC and class A airspace

Towered Airport

Automatically cancelled by ATC upon landing

Untowered Airport

Pilots must contact ATC or FSS by radio or phone