Air Traffic Services and Technology
Air Traffic Services Brief
The Domestic Use of ICAO Flight Planning Forms
The Issue
In an effort to support the global harmonization efforts of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving toward the adoption of ICAO's flight planning form for domestic use in the United States. This would replace the familiar FAA Form 7233-1 currently used by U.S. pilots for both VFR and IFR flight planning.
Key Terms
NAS Flight Plan: The current domestic flight plan form members are accustomed to using (FAA Form 7233-1)
ICAO Flight Plan: The ICAO flight plan form (FAA Form 7233-4)
Advanced Routing: For this discussion, advanced routing is considered RNAV Standard
Instrument Departures and Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (SIDs/STARs) and Point-to-Point Navigation (Above FL180). This does not include Low Altitude T-Routes.
ERAM: EnRoute Automation Modernization, the FAA’s upgrade to the current Host system, which coordinates all flight plans within the National Airspace System (NAS). The ERAM system will be compatible with all ICAO requirements, where the current Host system is not.
Background
As far back as 1997, AOPA was an active participant in the Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee (ATPAC) whose efforts were focused on addressing the issue of ICAO compliance with flight planning forms. Although the FAA touted the benefits associated with the ICAO format, AOPA was disturbed by the lack of consideration given to the potential impact on general aviation. With this in mind, the Multi-Agency Air Traffic Services Procedures Coordination Group Technical Working Group (MAPCOG TWG) was formed to address the concerns voiced by AOPA.
By 1999, the MAPCOG TWG had produced a consensus-based Universal Flight Plan form that met the needs of all participants. This was seen as a reasonable compromise that would not only retain the simplicity of the current FAA form, but would also meet ICAO guidelines. At that time, the FAA also appeared to support the new flight plan format.
In an effort to clarify the Administration's intent, AOPA sent a letter to the FAA on June 13, 2000 reaffirming its support of the Universal Flight Plan format developed by the MAPCOG TWG.
Three weeks later, a response was received from the FAA outlining its intent to move forward with the requirement to use the ICAO flight plan form. In its letter, the FAA cited international harmonization and the attainment of increased national airspace system efficiencies as the primary motivators for this action. Although the FAA claimed these efficiencies would ultimately benefit all stakeholders, it was not made clear how the ICAO form would help in achieving this objective.
Status
The FAA has been conducting meetings in which AOPA has been participating regarding the required use of the ICAO Flight Plan form for automatic assignment of “Advanced Routing.” AOPA was assured that T-route assignments would not be affected.
If a pilot chooses not to use an ICAO Flight Plan form, but does desire “Advanced Routing,” he/she may request the routing with the clearance delivery controller. This change only affects the automatic assignment by the ERAM computer of these routes.
The reasoning behind these changes is based on the fact that the new ICAO-compliant ERAM system is not compatible with the NAS flight plan form. In order for the ERAM system to know that a given flight has the required equipment for the advanced routing, the more specific ICAO flight plan equipment prefixes and suffixes must be used. The NAS flight plan suffixes are too general, and the ERAM system cannot decipher how an aircraft is equipped through a /G or /R suffix.
Who Is Affected
Point-to-Point navigation, as defined by the FAA, is conducted in Class A airspace above FL180, and would not have a direct impact on AOPA’s core membership.
RNAV SIDs and STARs are generally created at large, high volume airports associated with Class B airspace. While some members may be impacted, the core AOPA member would not likely file these routes on a regular basis.
Moreover, the new flight plan form would primarily be used by aircraft dispatchers, Flight Services personnel, and DUATS users. In the event a member wanted automatic assignment of these advanced routes, the use of the ICAO flight plan would most likely be transparent to him/her. If the member were to use DUAT or DUATS to file, both Websites have a very thorough and simple explanation of how to fill out the ICAO flight plan form.
Timeline
June 2008: Pilots must file IFR flight plans using the ICAO flight plan form if they desire automatic assignment of advanced routing.
November 2012: ICAO will incorporate a new Prefix/ Suffix equipment identification system that is even more specific and allows for growth with the advent of new equipment.
At this time, the FAA does not have any concrete timeframe for the elimination or alteration of the NAS flight plan. The general consensus at the FAA is that it will eventually be eliminated or highly altered to reflect a summarized version of the full ICAO flight plan form.
Updated Tuesday, March 25, 2008 1:36 AM
