ICAO Alphabet Soup

[DrBill]

WOW,, can this get any more confusing? I just spent over 1 hour researching how to complete this part of the data now required for GPS related flight plans.

Here's the excerpt from FLTPLAN.COM ICAO data : RNAV & RNP Equipment

A1 RNAV 10 (RNP10) B1 B2 thru B5

B2 RNAV 5 GNSS

B3 RNAV 5 DME/DME

B4 RNAV 5 VOR/DME

B5 RNAV 5 INS or IRS

B6 RNAV 5 LORAN C C1 RNAV 2 ALL

C2 RNAV 2 GNSS

C3 RNAV 2 DME/DME

C4 RNAV 2 DME/DME/IRU D1 RNAV 1 ALL

D2 RNAV 1 GNSS

D3 RNAV 1 DME/DME

D4 RNAV 1 DME/DME/IRU L1 RNP 4 O1 RNP 1 ALL

O2 RNP 1 GNSS

O3 RNP 1 DME/DME

O4 RNP 1 DME/DME/IRU S1 Approach - RNP Approach

S2 Approach - RNP Approach with Baro VNAV

T1 AR Approach - RNP AR with RF (AR = special authorization req.)

T2 AR Approach - RNP AR without RF (AR = special authorization req.)

Given my installed equipment, I went to several FAA pages and checked those boxes that I was SURE I was capable of. I think I'm capable of T2 but not sure so it's not checked.

Here's a link to the one document that was the biggest help:

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/enroute/flight_plan_filing/guidance/media/Guidance_Item%2010_18.pdf

Specifically the appendix.

I file IFR for any flight over 30nm and on my long flights, the conversation with the controllers takes away the boredom.

With a passenger (like yesterday), it can be trying to listen for your callsign while your passenger (a retired USAIR 757 pilot) is jabbering away. Somehow I was able to do it and I don't think I missed one call.

Hope this helps some of you in completing your ICAO data.

BILL

[cathead]

So......What would I use if I have a Garmin 300xl, ifr approach and enroute certified gps, non waas. I vor with glideslope and a AT150 transponder, just the basic stuff. Thanks.

[ELT]

Hi Guys,

I did the stuff on flight plan.com several weeks ago. However, I think this stuff is only required for ICAO flight plans (out of the USA). I will check with my CFII this afternoon to confirm as we are to log some actual IMC today.

[FoxMike]

If I were choosing from the list I think A1 might work. T-2 requires equipment not found in piston airplanes. This is baffling and I am surprised AOPA has not given some direction on it. With winter coming some of us will need to know as we will be heading for warmer climates. In the US you only use the ICAO form when filing RNAV SIDS and STARS.

[1964-M20E]

I just received the following email from FAA Safety.gov and it appears to me that this only applies to filing an ICAO flight plan.

FAA Safety Team | Safer Skies Through Education

New Flight Plan Form

Notice Number: NOTC4439

On November 15, 2012, the new ICAO Flight Plan Amendment will take effect, changing the way all ICAO flight plans are filed. You must take these new changes into account when filing your ICAO flight plans, or your flight plans will be rejected by ATC.

There are many changes in the amendment, but the biggest are in Item 10, “Equipment,” and Item 18, “Other Information.” From July 15, 2012 through November 14, 2012, a plan can be submitted in either the current “pre-2012” format or the new “ICAO 2012 format.” From November 15, 2012 onward, filings must be in the new ICAO 2012 format.

You can find the FAA InFO at this link, https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2012/Nov/InFO12018.pdf, and a table with further information at this link, https://www.faasafety.gov/files/notices/2012/Nov/Operational_Approval_Guidance_Table_v4.pdf.

Questions or comments regarding this InFO should be directed to Gordon Rother, New Program Implementation and International Support Branch, AFS-240 at (202) 267-8166.

[1964-M20E]

OK here is some more from AOPA on the new flight plan forms.

http://www.aopa.org/flightplanning/articles/2012/121115new-flight-plan-requirements-in-effect.html?WT.mc_id=&wtmcid;&WT.mc_sect=gan

Domestic VFR flights, along with domestic IFR flights that do not utilize PBN equipment such as Wide Area Augmentation System-enabled GPS as the means of navigation, may still file using the FAA domestic form. IFR flights using WAAS GPS (the Garmin 430W or 530W, for example) are now required to use the ICAO flight plan form in order to utilize T-routes and GPS procedures, though the change may be relatively transparent. Most flight planning software automatically transitions equipment details to the ICAO form, provided that the aircraft profile created by the user correctly details on-board equipment. Pilots who file by phone will see no difference, because the briefer will enter the plan in the system using the appropriate format.

[Awful_Charlie]

PPL/IR has written up a summary of the options that you will need (unless you have specialist kit) It is biased to European equipment availability, but hopefully explains the important bits: http://www.pplir.org/using-the-rating/795-fpl-2012-notes-for-members It is available to non-members too!