Flight Plan

FLIGHT TRAINING PUBLICATION (FLIP) STUDENT GUIDE

CHAPTER ONE

Flight Plan

Chapter 4 of General Planning contains detailed instructions for completing all types of military

and civil flight plans, including international flight plans. The purpose of a flight plan is to relay

to the air traffic controllers the desired route of flight of the aircrew. A military flight plan is

written on a DD 175 form and is used for flights within the conterminous United States,

Honolulu, Alaska, and San Juan Domestic Control areas. A more detailed discussion on the

DD 175 will be conducted in the Flight Planning course. Two important items of interest are

Aircraft Designation and Transponder Codes "TD code", and "VIP codes".

TD Codes - The TD code is written next to your aircraft type on your flight plan. It denotes the

transponder and navigation capability of your aircraft. Use the diagram in the following way.

1. Determine what type of transponder and Mode C capability your aircraft has. This will be

used to determine which row on the left side of the diagram you start with. (Military aircraft

always use transponders with Mode C, bottom row).

2. Next, determine what type of navigation equipment your aircraft has. The maximum

navigation capability of an aircraft is area NAV equipment (FAA-certified computers, inertial

navigation system, GPS, etc.) If your aircraft is so equipped, then the TD code will be either

"W", "C", or "R" under the area NAV equipment column. If the aircraft has a TACAN only,

with no VOR or certified Area NAV equipment (like many fleet aircraft), then the TD code

would be "M", "N", or "P" from the TACAN ONLY column. If the aircraft has a VOR only,

with no DME capability, then it will always be "T" or "V" under the transponder only column. If

the aircraft has a VOR and a DME computer or both a VOR and a TACAN onboard, then the TD

codes will be "D," "B," or "A" under the DME column.

VIP codes - The VIP code is a 3-digit (letter, number, letter) combination to be used in item 13

of the flight plan. Use the chart in the following manner:

The first letter will be a designator letter denoting the service category. (e.g., A=Air Force,

V=Navy.)

The number will indicate the VIP ranking status. (e.g., 4=vice admiral, 3 star)

The second letter will indicate the honor code requested. (e.g., 0=request nothing)

Example: V5H=Navy VIP, rear admiral, accord honors.

Pilot Procedures

To military aircrews, Chapter 5 in General Planning is the primary source for Pilot Procedures,

therefore reducing the need to refer to the Airman's Information Manual (AIM). It contains

standard pilot procedures for operating under both FAA and ICAO control (those items requiring

a ready reference while in-flight will be found in the IFR Enroute Supplement or the Flight

Information handbook). The GP is divided into five sections. Some of the more important items

are listed below.

GENERAL PLANNING 1-3