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IFR Flight Planning

Objective​

Demonstrate the ability to plan an IFR cross-country flight, including selecting appropriate routes and altitudes, interpreting weather data and NOTAMs, managing fuel requirements, and understanding the requirements for filing, copying, and complying with ATC clearances.

Timing​

  • 45 minutes

Format​

  • ForeFlight demo
  • Whiteboard

Overview​

  • Filing an IFR Flight Plan
  • Copying / Understanding IFR Clearances
  • Dealing with En Route Weather
  • Preparation of an IFR Navigation Log
  • Planning Departures and Arrivals
  • Power / Fuel Management

Elements​

Filing an IFR Flight Plan​

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  • Mandatory for all flights in controlled airspace under IFR
  • Submit via ICAO format (FAA Form 7233-4)
    • This is what ForeFlight will submit when you file
  • File at least 30 minutes prior to estimated time of departure (ETD)
    • Flight plans show up in the ATC system 30 minutes prior to your ETD and remain active for 3-4 hours depending on the facility
  • Utilize the 1-2-3 rule to determine when an alternate is not required: if, within ±1 hour of ETA, the destination is forecast to have a ceiling greater than 2,000' and visibility greater than 3 SM
  • Identify PBN and RVSM equipment capabilities in blocks 10 and 18
  • Include aircraft identification, type, and color for search and rescue

Briefing a Flight​

  • Retrieve a weather briefing before departure
  • Recall 91.103, preflight planning must include:
    • NOTAMs
    • Weather forecasts and reports
    • Known ATC delays
    • Runway lengths at airports of intended use
    • Alternate if the flight cannot be completed as planned
    • Fuel requirements
    • Takeoff and landing distance information from the AFM/POH
  • Use a standard briefing checklist which covers your NWKRAFT items, airworthiness, and personal minimums

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Copying / Understanding IFR Clearances​

  • Use C-R-A-F-T format, fill in everything you know beforehand:
    • Clearance limit
    • Route
    • Altitude
    • Frequency
    • Transponder
  • Verify clearance void time when departing non-towered fields
    • Start a timer when given a void time to keep track
  • Read back all altitudes, restrictions, headings, and "hold short" instructions in sequence

En Route Weather​

  • Monitor SIGMETs for non-convective hazards like severe icing or turbulence
  • Track AIRMETs (SIERRA, TANGO, ZULU) for conditions hazardous to light aircraft
  • Avoid thunderstorms identified as severe by at least 20 miles
  • Circumnavigate convective areas with 6/10 or more cell coverage
  • Use FIS-B via ADS-B for strategic planning only, accounting for 15-20 minute latency
  • Report unforecast weather or hazardous conditions to ATC immediately

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Preparation of an IFR Navigation Log​

  • Manual creation of navigation log
    • List all fixes/waypoints for each leg of the flight
    • Correct for magnetic deviation and variation, as appropriate
    • Record magnetic courses, distances, true airspeed and fuel burn from the POH
    • Determine TAS, GS, and ETE for each segment based on winds/temperatures aloft
    • Include navigation frequencies on your flight plan
  • With ForeFlight
    • Configure an aircraft profile, either a basic or advanced profile based on tables from your POH
    • Create a flight plan and select a cruise profile
    • Cross-check profile with reasonable POH values

Planning Departures and Arrivals​

  • Check for published ODPs or SIDs to ensure terrain clearance during climb-out
    • Standard climb gradient is 200 FPNM (assumes crossing DER at 35 feet and climbing to 400 feet before turns)
    • Non-standard climb gradients: Climb rate (ft / min)=Ground speed ∗ Climb gradient (ft / nm)60\text{Climb rate (ft / min)} = \frac{\text{Ground speed } * \text{ Climb gradient (ft / nm)}}{60}
    • Confirm eligibility and possession of charted SIDs and STARs before accepting clearances
    • Comply with "Climb Via" or "Descend Via" instructions to meet all published restrictions
    • Load procedures directly from a current database by name
      • This is required for RNAV terminal procedures
  • Notify ATC as early as possible if intending to use a visual climb over airport (VCOA) departure
  • Class G airports do not have published ODPs or SIDs
    • You must maintain your own obstacle clearance before entering controlled airspace

Power / Fuel Management​

  • Legal fuel requirements must be met 91.167:
    1. Enough fuel to fly to first airport of intended landing
    2. Then to your alternate, if an alternate was filed
    3. Then for 45 minutes at normal cruising speed
  • Sensible fuel requirements: Land with >1 hour of fuel
  • Select cruise power settings from the POH based on desired cruise speed and fuel burn
  • For low-wing airplanes
    • Use a recurring alert as a reminder to switch tanks
    • Record the level of each fuel tank when swapping tanks to prevent fuel imbalance
  • Advise ATC of "Minimum Fuel" status when fuel supply allows for little or no undue delay
  • Declare an emergency and report remaining fuel in minutes if priority is needed

References​

  • Instrument Flying Handbook: 1-12, 10-2 to 10-9, 10-22 to 10-25, 10-31 to 10-33
  • Instrument Procedures Handbook: 1-16 to 1-42, 2-13 to 2-43, 3-10 to 3-24
  • Aeronautical Information Manual: 5-1-6, 5-1-15, 5-2-9, 5-3-2, 5-5-2, 5-5-15, 7-1-5
  • Aviation Weather Handbook: 3-10 to 3-12, 26-2 to 26-21, 27-7 to 27-21, D-6 to D-10
  • TERPS Manual (FAA Order 8260.3): 2-1, 3-5
  • 14 CFR Part 91: 91.103, 91.167, 91.169, 91.173, 91.177, 91.185
  • Backseat Pilot CFII Lesson Plans: III.B, V.A, V.B, XI.A
  • IFR Magazine Flight Plans