Flight Plans
When are they required?
VFR flights are never required to file a flight plan.
Flight plans are required for IFR flights.
Ensuring stored flight plan matches clearance
When issuing a clearance, it is important to make sure the flight plan stored on the Vatsim servers exactly matches the clearance issued, so that subsequent controllers are clear on the route issued and other details of the flight.
Equipment suffixes
To create a common system for controllers to know the navigation capabilities of an aircraft, equipment suffixes are used. When checking the flight plan for an IFR aircraft, ensure that an equipment suffix has been entered. If not, ask the pilot what the appropriate suffix is. A complete list of suffixes can be found in the 7110.65, chapter 2, section 3. Equipment suffixes are not required for VFR aircraft.
{Reference: FAAO 7110.65 2-3-8}
VFR flights are never required to file a flight plan.
Flight plans are required for IFR flights.
Ensuring stored flight plan matches clearance
When issuing a clearance, it is important to make sure the flight plan stored on the Vatsim servers exactly matches the clearance issued, so that subsequent controllers are clear on the route issued and other details of the flight.
Equipment suffixes
To create a common system for controllers to know the navigation capabilities of an aircraft, equipment suffixes are used. When checking the flight plan for an IFR aircraft, ensure that an equipment suffix has been entered. If not, ask the pilot what the appropriate suffix is. A complete list of suffixes can be found in the 7110.65, chapter 2, section 3. Equipment suffixes are not required for VFR aircraft.
{Reference: FAAO 7110.65 2-3-8}
