VFR flight planning issues

Arne wrote:

(danish sounds like russian to me)

You must be Swedish!

Arne wrote:

The super-speedy ACK from SkyDemon gives artificial (undeserved) confidence to pilots

You don’t really get an ACK from SkyDemon though… You get a ‘Confirmation of Flightplan Filing’. The message even states:-

Although we can guarantee that your flightplan has been sent to all addresses below, we cannot guarantee that the recipients will properly retain your flightplan. We therefore always advise telephoning the tower at your departure aerodrome to ensure they still have a copy of your flightplan ready before you begin your journey to the aerodrome.

Question on this topic…
I’m not an expert at anything wrt aviation, so this thread has been eye-opening for me.
I currently only fly VFR, and would like to make sure my FLP’s are not rejected.

Can I simply use designated points from airways in a sequence that does not follow the airways themselves?
I don’t want to do the zigzag of IFR FLP’s, but I don’t mind using their turning points as points along my route…

If that makes sense, is it ok? Or will my FLP’s be kicked for not following the proper routes?
Thanks

In most of Europe, there are no prescriptions on how your describe your route and whether you fly along airways or you just oick some random points and connect them with a DCT designator. Flying outside ATS routes (aka airways) is perfectly allowed and in fact is the norm for VFR flights.

ICAO Appendix 2 of Doc4444 (and then also SERA) says, regarding VFR flightplans:

Flights outside designated ATS routes

INSERT points normally not more than 30 minutes flying time or 370 km (200 NM) apart, including each point at which a change of speed or level, a change of track, or a change of flight rules is planned.

OR, when required by appropriate ATS authority(ies)

DEFINE the track of flights operating predominantly in an east-west direction between 70°N and 70°S by reference to significant points formed by the intersections of half or whole degrees of latitude with meridians spaced at intervals of 10 degrees of longitude. For flights operating in areas outside those latitudes the tracks shall be defined by significant points formed by the intersection of parallels of latitude with meridians normally spaced at 20 degrees of longitude. The distance between significant points shall, as far as possible, not exceed one hour’s flight time. Additional significant points shall be established as deemed necessary.

For flights operating predominantly in a north-south direction, define tracks by reference to significant points formed by the intersection of whole degrees of longitude with specified parallels of latitude which are spaced at 5 degrees

INSERT DCT between successive points unless both points are defined by geographical coordinates or by bearing and distance.

USE ONLY the conventions in (1) to (5) below and SEPARATE each sub-item by a space.

(1) ATS route (2 to 7 characters)

The coded designator assigned to the route or route segment including, where appropriate, the coded designator assigned to the standard departure or arrival route (e.g. BCN1, Bl, R14, UB10, KODAP2A).

Note.— Provisions for the application of route designators are contained in Annex 11, Appendix 1, while guidance material on the application of an RNP type to a specific route segment(s), route(s) or area is contained in the Performance-based Navigation Manual (Doc 9613).

* (2) Significant point (2 to 11 characters)

The coded designator (2 to 5 characters) assigned to the point (e.g. LN, MAY, HADDY),

or, if no coded designator has been assigned, one of the following ways:

— Degrees only (7 characters)

2 figures describing latitude in degrees, followed by “N” (North) or “S” (South), followed by 3 figures describing longitude in degrees, followed by “E” (East) or “W” (West). Make up the correct number of figures, where necessary, by insertion of zeros, e.g. 46N078W.

— Degrees and minutes (11 characters):

4 figures describing latitude in degrees and tens and units of minutes followed by “N” (North) or “S” (South), followed by 5 figures describing longitude in degrees and tens and units of minutes, followed by “E” (East) or “W” (West). Make up the correct number of figures, where necessary, by insertion of zeros, e.g. 4620N07805W

Bearing and distance from a navigation aid:

The identification of the navigation aid (normally a VOR), in the form of 2 or 3 characters, THEN the bearing from the aid in the form of 3 figures giving degrees magnetic, THEN the distance from the aid in the form of 3 figures expressing nautical miles. Make up the correct number of figures, where necessary, by insertion of zeros — e.g. a point 180° magnetic at a distance of 40 nautical miles from VOR “DUB” should be expressed as DUB180040

Thanks for all of that @boscomantico

Aviathor wrote:

Arne wrote:
(danish sounds like russian to me)
You must be Swedish!

I wonder what happened to @Hunnicat? Has the process changed in the intervening years to make it work better for ATC?