Flight plans and Air Defence Clearance

Free lesson · Air Regulations · DGCA CPL and ATPL

Do you need a plan? How do you change it? And when does your Air Defence Clearance run out?

Do I need to file a flight plan?

File a plan?

Read each case and press the stamp that applies.

  • Must this flight file a flight plan? Press a stamp.
  • File a plan
  • You must send in a flight plan before any flight, or part of a flight, that will get air traffic control service.
  • Inform ATS
  • Every flight in Indian airspace has to be made known to the air traffic service unit concerned.
  • Exempt
  • An IFR flight will fly airways under air traffic control from Delhi to Mumbai.
  • A flight that will receive air traffic control service files a flight plan.
  • A light aircraft flies VFR from Kolkata to Dhaka.
  • Any flight that crosses an international border files a flight plan.
  • An IFR flight uses the air traffic advisory service in advisory airspace.
  • IFR flights in advisory airspace file a flight plan.
  • A local VFR flight stays outside controlled airspace and needs no ATC service.
  • No flight plan is required, but information on any flight in Indian airspace still goes to the ATS unit.
  • A nano drone films a wedding at 40 ft inside a walled garden.
  • Nano and micro RPA within their height limits, in uncontrolled airspace or enclosed premises, need not inform ATS.
  • A flight enters a designated area where a plan is required to coordinate with military units.
  • Flights in designated areas or routes file a plan, for FIS, alerting and SAR, or to coordinate with military units.

Memory hook: Control, advisory IFR, designated, border: file.

Takeaway: File for ATC service, IFR in advisory airspace, designated areas or routes, and any international border crossing.

How do I complete and change a flight plan?

Change a plan

From filling it in to closing it after landing.

  1. Complete it up to the alternate Whatever the reason for filing, a flight plan always has the items needed up to and including the alternate aerodrome(s) for the route, or the part of it, being flown.
  2. Report changes all, or significant ones IFR and controlled VFR: every change, as soon as practicable. Other VFR: significant changes. Wrong fuel endurance or persons on board at departure is always significant.
  3. Request a change what to include Level: ident, new level, Mach/TAS, revised estimates. Speed: ident, new Mach/TAS. Route: ident, flight rules, new route, estimates; plus alternates if destination changes.
  4. IFR to VFR say IFR cancelled Tell ATS 'IFR flight cancelled' and the changes. Only if you expect a reasonable period of uninterrupted VMC. VFR to IFR: change or file a plan, and get a clearance in controlled airspace.
  5. Close it arrival report Report arrival in person, by radiotelephony or data link as soon as possible after landing, to the ATS unit at the arrival aerodrome.

Memory hook: Fuel and POB errors are always significant.

Takeaway: Fill items up to the alternate. Report every change on IFR or controlled VFR; significant changes otherwise. Cancel IFR only for uninterrupted VMC.

When is your Air Defence Clearance valid?

ADIZ clearance

Minutes either side of EOBT. Tap each marker.

  • Window opens ADC validity starts 15 minutes before EOBT in the RPL or FPL (or its DLA/CHG revision).
  • EOBT Get ADC before take-off through ATC. Local flights within 5 NM of the ARP and below 1000 ft AGL are exempt.
  • Return flight delay limit A same-day return ADC lapses if the return departure is delayed more than 30 minutes; get a fresh one.
  • Scheduled window closes Scheduled flights: ADC valid to 45 minutes after EOBT.
  • Non-scheduled domestic closes Non-scheduled domestic flights: valid from 15 minutes before to 3 hours after EOBT.

Memory hook: Minus 15, plus 45: the ADC window.

Takeaway: ADC valid from EOBT −15 to +45 min; non-scheduled domestic to +3 h. Entering India: from the FIC 10 min before.