Flight Planning

What Does Flight Planning cover?

The Flight Planning & Monitoring subject covers a multitude of different topics that are vital to a safe, efficient and successful flight. As the title of the subject suggests, there are two distinct areas of study in the syllabus.

Flight Planning doesn't mean drawing a line on a map that you intend to follow. It is a comprehensive pre-flight process that requires knowledge of fuel policy and accurate fuel calculations, the in-depth use of navigation charts to cover all stages of flight, understanding aerodrome operations plus completing all the necessary paperwork like flight plans, navigation logs and mass & balance calculations.

Flight monitoring is a continuous assessment of the progress of the flight. Pilots constantly monitor the navigation of the aircraft by comparing their actual position with the planned position and making adjustments for weather and air traffic control instructions. The elapsed time of the flight is also monitored to ensure the flight remains on schedule and, most importantly, comparing the actual fuel remaining with the planned fuel. Any deviations from the plan could have a significant impact on the fuel burn so this is continuously checked to ensure the aircraft will arrive at the destination airport with legal fuel reserves remaining.

The exam covers 42 questions to be answered in 2 hours. It is a very comprehensive assessment that challenges all elements of the subject. Time management and a thorough understanding of the complex fuel policy is vital to achieve success in the subject.