Key notes — quick revision

033 Flight PlanningQuick revision

Conversions & distance

Key fact

NAM/TAS = NGM/GS. NGM = NAM + (WC×Time/60). Mach = TAS/LSS. kg×2.205=lb. Imp gal×4.546=L. Mass unaffected by SG; volume flow scales with SG ratio.

Fuel components

Key fact

Trip = T/O to landing (incl climb/desc). Contingency = max(5% trip, 5 min hold@1500ft) — reducible to 3% with ERA. Alternate = MAPt to alternate (incl dest missed approach, not alt missed approach). Final reserve: jets 30 min hold@1500ft; pistons 45 min cruise — emergency only, never planned. Additional = engine-out/depress insufficient case. Extra = PIC/tankering.

Formula — PET & PSR essentials

PET distance: X = DH/(O+H) — moves into wind; time via AEO outbound.

PSR distance: X = EOH/(O+H) or E/(SFCout+SFChome) — any wind moves PSR toward departure.

Alternates & special procedures

Key fact

1 alternate IFR unless isolated (PDP) OR under 6 h + 2 runways + ceiling over 2000 ft (or circling+500) + vis over 5 km ±1h ETA. DP/RCF: contingency only DP→dest or DP→alt — take greater RCF-1/RCF-2. PDP isolated: take greater PDP-1/PDP-2; turbines 2h cruise add fuel; pistons 45min+15% or 2h (lesser).

Tankering & masses

Key fact

FPR = Dep price / Arr price — tanker if under 1. Extra fuel limit = lowest of MTOM, MLM, ramp, tank cap. Additional load = MZFM−ZFM. Fuel load = extra fuel.

Flight plan & ATC

Key fact

File 60 min before EOBT (controlled); 3 h for Atlantic/Pacific/ATFM; 10 min if airborne entering CTR. Delay over 30 min (controlled) or over 60 min (uncontrolled) → amend/cancel. TAS ±5% or ETA ±2 min → report. New FPL for callsign/dep/dest change. RPL: IFR, same route, over 10 occasions. Item 15 speed = TAS; EET = duration T/O to overhead dest.

Levels & NOTAM

Key fact

IFR: West even, East odd. VFR: +500 ft. Congested 1000 ft/600 m; else 500 ft. MSA 1000 ft/25 NM. NOTAMN/R/C; time UTC YYMMDDHHMM. TRZ: SR−30 to SS+30. 1 in 60: error = off-track×60/distance.

Exam trap

Alternate fuel incl dest missed approach — NOT alt missed approach. Contingency ≠ alternate. PET into wind; PSR toward dep. FPR under 1 to tanker. 3% contingency needs ERA.