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Flight Plans can be filed with a Flight Service Station or FAA contracted flight plan filing service.

Within the continental U.S., a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight plan is not normally required. When filed, usually this is done in case there is a need for for search-and-rescue (SAR) — for example, if the flight will cover uninhabited or hostile terrain.

VFR flights to international destinations, into an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), or a Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR) area have specific rules that include flight plans.

Flight plans are mandatory for all domestic and international flights operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

The FAA's domestic flight plan form was discontinued in August 2019 and replaced by the International Flight Plan (ICAO) form. The ICAO form is mandatory for:

Flight plans include information on the flight's operating parameters, the aircraft, the route, and supplemental information.

For more information, read 5-1-5 "VFR Flight Plan" in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).

For more information, see FAA Form 7233-4, International Flight Plan on the FAA website.

ICAO Flight Plan: Front of Document.

ICAO Flight Plan: Back of Document.


Test Questions

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Robert Wederquist   CP-ASEL - AGI - IGI
Commercial Pilot • Instrument Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor • Instrument Ground Instructor


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