In preparation for the FAA’s switch to ICAO flight plan filing on October 1, ForeFlight has released a video and blog instructing users on how to file ICAO flight plans. The video and blog explains how to set up stored aircraft with ICAO equipment codes and how to file the flight plan. ForeFlight users have been able to file ICAO flight plans for many years.
Successful filing of an ICAO flight plan depends on setting up the aircraft properly in three flight-plan fields: ICAO equipment, ICAO surveillance and wake turbulence. For equipment, it is only necessary to select a code that covers the applicable equipment, such as G for GPS and S for VOR, VHF, ILS, then B for LPV approach capability. It is not necessary to list every equipment capability, nor will that affect the flight plan’s acceptance by ATC, according to ForeFlight.
For the ICAO surveillance field, it is only necessary to put C for transponder with altitude encoder at this point because, even if the aircraft is equipped for it, ADS-B OUT is not yet mandatory in the U.S. Finally, most light general aviation aircraft will fall under the 15,000-pound threshold for the L category of the wake turbulence field.
There are some other differences from the familiar FAA flight plan, such as the option of adding a second alternate airport and listing emergency equipment on board. ForeFlight recommends that pilots begin filing ICAO flight plans now to become adept with the new system before October.
