Mastering Flight Planning: Key Steps for a Safe and Successful Flight
Preparing for a flight is crucial to ensure a safe and smooth journey. Follow these steps to plan effectively and reduce your workload in the cockpit:
1. Gather and Organise Your Materials
- Collect all necessary charts (PCA, WAC, ERC, VTC, VNC, etc.).
- Fold the charts to clearly display your flight track and surrounding areas.
- Organise the charts in order and place them in your flight plan folder for easy access during the flight.
2. Plan Your Route
- Draw your track on the relevant charts (PCA, WAC, ERC, etc.).
- PCA: Use for met area forecasts, GAF chart boundaries, location abbreviations, and VHF coverage.
- ERC: Identify controlled airspace, prohibited/restricted areas, danger zones, and frequencies.
- WAC: Analyse terrain using topographical shading and avoid high terrain (dark brown areas). Identify enroute airports for potential landings.
- Measure distances and bearings for each leg of your flight. Adjust for magnetic variation.
3. Research Aerodromes
- Use the ERSA to gather information about aerodromes along your route.
- Note elevation, runway directions, surface type, local procedures, windsock position, and fuel availability.
- Mark any right-hand circuits on your charts.
- Use sticky tabs to mark relevant ERSA pages for quick reference.
4. List Frequencies
- On your flight plan, note down all necessary frequencies for each leg of your journey:
- CTAF, area frequencies, AWIS, tower, ATIS, and navaids.
5. Obtain Weather and NOTAMs
- Use NAIPS to access:
- Weather briefings (location, area, restricted areas).
- TAF winds to plan ahead (e.g., expected circuit directions).
- Relevant NOTAMs, including head office NOTAMs.
- Highlight critical NOTAMs and ensure your NAIPS password is up to date (reset every 180 days).
6. Complete Your Flight Plan
- Select cruise levels: Consider lowest safe altitude, cloud cover, and wind conditions. Plan hemispherically.
- Calculate ground speeds, ETIs, and headings: Use the GPWT chart for enroute wind data, not TAFs.
- Note area QNH: From the area forecast for top of climb.
- Compute fuel requirements: Include last light, alternates, and reserves.
- Mark your WAC: Add 10-mile markers for easy reference.
- Submit your flight notification: Note your SAR time. If flying in controlled airspace, submit your plan at least 30 minutes before departure.
7. Complete Weight and Balance
- Calculate weights for fuel, pilot, passengers, and baggage.
- Ensure the aircraft is within safe weight and balance limits.
8. Organise Your Materials for the Flight
- Gather and fold your charts so your flight track and surrounding areas are visible.
- Place them in your flight plan folder or another easily accessible location in the cockpit.
9. Final Weather Check
- Review the weather again before departure.
- Remember: You are not obligated to fly if conditions are unsafe, regardless of passenger or commercial pressure.
10. Special Considerations for Restricted Airspace
- If your route passes through restricted areas, plan to contact ATC well in advance and check for military activity in the area.:
- Plan to contact ATC well in advance (e.g., 50 nm out).
- Check NOTAMs for military activity and restricted area updates.
- Use NAIPS to access location briefings and restricted area briefings.
11. Final Preparations
- Double-check all calculations, frequencies, and charts.
- Ensure your aircraft is fuelled, and all systems are operational.
- Mentally prepare for the flight, keeping safety as your top priority.
By following these steps, you reduce cockpit workload, ensuring a safer, more enjoyable journey. Every flight, no matter the length, requires careful planning to avoid stress and ensure a successful flight. If you need assistance with flight planning or would like to make the process smoother, check out our Concierge Service for expert support and personalised guidance.
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