Instrument Flight
General Communication Procedures
REPORTS SPECIFIC TO NON-RADAR ENVIRONMENT
When radar contact has not been established by initial handoff:
1. Initial contact not at a fix; report will include “ATC (name), aircraft (identification), estimating (to the
next identifiable published fix or reporting point and time), (descending, climbing, or maintaining
altitude or flight level).”
2. Initial contact at a fix; report will consist of a courtesy call only “ATC (name), aircraft (identification),
and (position).”
NOTE: If ATC states “Roger” and does not state “Go ahead,” then no additional information is
required at this time. Another courtesy call shall be made once the aircraft has reached the next
designated reporting point “solid triangles” (low altitude structure). (There are no compulsory
reporting points in the high altitude structure.)
If ATC states “Go ahead,” then a full position report is required.
3. Position report includes “(position), (time), (altitude), (next compulsory reporting point), (planned time
to that point), (next compulsory reporting point).” (P.T.A.P.T.P.)
NOTE: If radar contact is established or has been reestablished once lost along the route, pilots
should discontinue position reports over designated reporting points in the low altitude structure.
Pilots should resume normal non-radar position reporting when ATC advises “Radar Contact Lost” or
“Radar Service Terminated.”
4. When leaving a final approach fix inbound on final approach (non-precision approach) or when leaving
the outer marker or fix used in lieu of the outer marker inbound on final approach (precision
approach).
NOTE: OPNAVINST 3710.7 requires gear down report be made to the controlling agency by the final
approach fix.
5. A corrected ETA at anytime it becomes apparent that an estimate as previously submitted is in error
in excess of three minutes.
CHANGE OF FLIGHT PLAN
Three voice procedures are used when changing your flight plan. Each procedure addresses a different
change to your flight plan and contains different content to be delivered to ATC in a specific sequence.
The categories are:
1. Change of route or destination - 13 items
2. Change from VFR to IFR only - 7 items
3. Change of ETA by more than 30 minutes - 4 items
The specific items and sequence are found on the inside back cover of the IFR Supplement which should
be used when delivering an in-flight change of flight plan.
NOTE: Pilots should request a frequency change for a change in flight plan from the ATC controlling
agency. Normally the change is given to an FSS facility. However, if the ATC controller handling you is
not too busy he will often copy the change.
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