ICAO FLIGHT PLAN
OTHER INFORMATION / REMARKS -
Item 18: If there are no "remarks", insert "0" (zero) under "OTHER INFORMATION"
Provide other necessary information in the preferred sequence, as shown below:
EET/ - The estimated, cumulative elapsed times to Flight Information Region (FIR / CTA) boundaries or such other points as prescribed by associated ATC factilities. The term "FIR" is commonly synonymous with the geographical area assigned to an Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) or similar facility.
...................................... NOTE: The point at which most defined airways transits an FIR will normally have a 5-letter intersection name assigned to it. The FIR boundary is identifed by a 4-letter identifier, which is the same as the Service-B /AFTN address, used in sending flight plans and ATS messages. One of the most convenient source of these addresses in on IFR enroute charts, where they are displayed at intervals, printed next to the FIR/ARTCC boundary. "EET" times are thus referenced to the FIR boundary, using the 4-letter identifier for the related facility. That information in turn, is utlized (in part) to determine the addreesees of the flight plan message (FPL).
Examples: MMID0058 -- MHTG0045 -- MKJK0204 - (There is NO SPACE beteen the FIR ident and time).
A message with the previous listed FIR's would be addressed the AFTN/Service-B as: MMIDZRZX MHTGZRZX etc
........................................ NOTE: Failure to file FIR esimates may result in extended processing time and related departure delays for the aircraft. It is not altogether unknown for some nations to refuse entry into their airspace (at the last minute), placing the aircraft in an insufficient fuel status to reach the intended destination via a circuitous route or forcing an otherwise unplanned stop and/or return to departure point. IE- Don't underestimate the significance of filing this information.
RIF/ - Used to define revised routing and destination information.
Example: RIF/ESP G4 CLA APPH
REG/ - The registration / "side number" of the aircraft, if different from Item 7 "Aircraft Identification". This is most commonly used in certificated air carrier charter and air taxi operations.
SEL/ - The 4-letter SELCAL code for the aircraft. This is a 4-letter code which is permanently assigned to individual aircraft in virtually all air carriers and many larger corporate turbojets. In application, the entry of the 4-letter code during a radio transmission by ARINC, for example, will sound a loud, audible tone or chime in the cockpit. It's often used to alert an aircraft that has missed a desired change of frequency, for example. Some ATC/ATS facilities require this information in the flight plan data.
OPR/ - The name of the operator of the aircraft, if not obvious. Example: OPR/ U.S. MILITARY
STS/ - Reason for any special handling requests, such as "LIFEGUARD", "NUMBER 2 ENGINE INOP".
TYP/ - The type of aircraft, when no standard contraction is published for the make/model OR when multiple types of aircraft make up the flight. When "TYP/" is used, enter "ZZ" or "ZZZZ" as appropriate in Item 9 (Number and Type of Aircraft).
PER/ - Aircraft performance data as prescribed by the appropriate ATC/ATS facility.
COM/ - Information pertaining to unusual communication equipment or condition of same.
Example: -- COM/UHF ONLY
NAV/- Data related to naviagation equipment as may be required by ATC/ATS facilities along the route.
Example: -- NAV/IFR GPS
DEP/ - The name of the departure airport, SPELLED OUT, when ZZZZ is inserted in Item 13 (Departure Aerocrome) and no approved 4-letter identifier for the airport is published in the ICAO Document 7910 (Identifier Handbook) ....OR if the departure involved an "air file" and AFIL was entered into Item 13 (Departure Aerpdrome).
DEST/ - The name of the destination airport, SPELLED OUT, if "ZZZZ" is inserted in Item 16 (Destination Aerodrome).
ALTN/ - The name of the alternate airport, SPELLED OUT, if " ZZZZ" is inserted in Item 16.
..........................NOTE: The reason that the name of the airport is spelled out is that (for example) the 3-letter airport identifiers for most airports in the U.S. are NOT avaialable in the ICAO Dcoument 7910 (Indentifier Handbook). The ATC/ATS facilities in a foreign country may have no means of obraining the name of the departure or destination airport, in these circumstances.
RMK/ - Any other plain language remarks, which are deemed necessary. Example: RMK/ ADCUS 4 US JONES
...................... IMPORTANT AFSS NOTE: In the event that a FULL ROUTE CLEARANCE is required, owing to a pilot filing erroneous or incomplete routing information...."FRC" MUST be entered under "RMK/" in an ICAO flight plan, in order for "FRC" to appear in Field 11 of a U.S. ATC departure strip!
Got a comment? ..."Stale" link report" ...Suggestion for additional service?
waters@txucom.net