As your flight training progresses and you start flying further away from your local practice area to new airports, you’ll learn all about VFR flight plans and their role in the aviation system. This free service is designed to let someone know that you’ll be out flying for the day, your planned route of flight, and when and where you expect to land. Then in the unlikely event you have to perform an off-airport landing and are out of range of communications, rescue workers will know where to come looking for you.
In the days before computers and tablets, these were typically filed with a Flight Service Station (FSS) over the phone, and then activated in the air by calling FSS again over a dedicated radio frequency. Mobile technology has changed this though, and most pilots take advantage of the VFR flight plan functions in mobile apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot, or directly on the Flight Service website (learn more about how to file a VFR Flight Plan from a variety of mobile apps here).
There’s an important change that goes into effect today related to the form used to file your VFR flight plan. You most likely have been using what’s called the FAA (or Domestic) flight plan form, which collected the essential details of your flight, including aircraft type and N#, route info and your contact information. Starting today, you’ll need to start using a new form when filing VFR flight plans, called the ICAO or International flight plan form.
ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the group’s goal is to keep aviation processes and infrastructure standard across all countries in the world. Fortunately, most of the major iPad apps and online web planning services support the ICAO flight plan form as an option when submitting a flight plan, so the infrastructure is in place to make it an easy transition for you.
Looking at the ForeFlight app as an example, head over to the Flights tab and set up a sample VFR flight from your home airport to another airport. After entering the basics, tap the Proceed to File button at the bottom of the screen to load the flight plan window. Tap the “Form Type” row at the top, and switch the method from FAA/Domestic to ICAO.
After a quick glance, you’ll notice that the ICAO form requires much of the same information as the domestic form. The big difference is that the international form requests more details about your airplane’s navigation, communication, surveillance (transponder) and survival equipment in greater detail. While this may seem intimidating at first, you’ll only need to do it once when setting up your airplane’s profile in the app and it’ll be saved for future use.
Setting up your airplane profile
The ICAO flight plan form requires you to identify each part of your avionics configuration.
We’re going to continue with ForeFlight to show how this all works. Go to the More tab, select Aircraft from the options on the left, and choose one of your existing profiles. ForeFlight includes a lot of customization options here, with a mix of performance data used for flight planning, along with required data for the ICAO flight plan form. Here are the areas to focus on for now:
General – this section should already be complete from filing previous Domestic VFR flight plans, but verify the data is correct for N#, aircraft type, color and the home airport.
ICAO Equipment – the ICAO flight plan form is used for both IFR (instrument) and VFR flight plans, so the next few sections are really meant for IFR pilots to identify how their airplanes are equipped for ATC and navigation purposes. This really isn’t required information for VFR Flight Plans, so select your airplane’s equipment to the best of your knowledge (G for GPS, and V for VOR, for example).
ICAO Surveillance – the upcoming ADS-B out requirement has expanded the number of transponder options and configurations available. There are 2 parts to the ICAO equipment requirement: first, identify the transponder type, and second specify the ADS-B capabilities (your CFI or flight school representative can assist here). If you’re not ADS-B out equipped, you’ll only enter one code–most likely code “C” for a Mode C transponder or code “S” for a Mode S transponder.
ICAO Wake Category – Enter Light (L) here when aircraft weight is under 15,500 lbs.
Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) – skip this section when setting up your aircraft for VFR flight plan purposes
Dingy – pilots flying long distances over open water typically carry an inflatable life boat, and this is the place to enter the details when equipped.
Emergency – enter the details of supplemental emergency equipment, including life jackets, backup radios and survival gear.
If you’re flying IFR or want to be more precise on the equipment fields, check out this article on how to determine your exact ICAO equipment, surveillance and PBN codes: How to Comply with ICAO Flight Plan Requirements.
The hard work is now done. After saving your updated aircraft profile, ForeFlight will automatically populate the flight plan form each time when filing a new VFR flight plan with the ICAO form type selected. You’ll be able to review all the details (and modify emergency equipment as necessary) each time prior to submission. After pressing File, the data is sent the same way to Flight Service, and you can open and close it using the traditional methods on using your airplane radio, telephone or in the apps.
One improvement worth pointing out is that file VFR Flight Plans now include the supplemental pilot data field in the transmission to Flight Service, which contains pilot contact information, along with the VFR flight plan to the destination facility, to reduce Search and Rescue response times.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/05162800/icao-SPN-feature-1.jpg11121668studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2019-08-27 09:46:462021-06-08 19:23:09How to file VFR Flight Plans using the new ICAO format
Scholarships abound from Women in Aviation International (WAI). More than 100 scholarships will be awarded in 2020 with a value of nearly $600,000. The awards will be announced at the 31st annual Women in Aviation Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL in March.
To be eligible, applicants must be a member of WAI in good standing and complete the online application by November 12, 2019. A special student membership rate to WAI is available for only $32/year and includes a subscription to Aviation for Women magazine, discount registration fees for conferences or events, and edibility for scholarships. Members also gain access to the Members Only area of WAI.org that includes job postings and chapter pages.
For additional membership and scholarship information and to apply, visit WAI.org/scholarships.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/05162813/rj-tail-sunset-1.jpg15372049studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2019-08-24 13:00:482021-06-08 19:23:09Women in Aviation announces 2020 scholarships valued at nearly $600k
The $100 hamburger is a favorite of pilots – take off, fly somewhere and enjoy a meal with fellow pilots. For most pilots that means a half hour flight to a paved runway and an airport diner, but not in Alaska. In this fascinating video, you’ll fly into a remote strip in Alaska to visit the Skwentna Roadhouse. It’s not your everyday lunch flight!
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/05172422/alaska-runway.jpg450800studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2019-08-23 09:00:292021-06-08 19:23:09Video: a very remote $100 hamburger
FlyGirl / Sporty’s Advanced Pilot Training Scholarship – Value: $3,100
Deadline to apply: September 1, 2019
Natalie Fiser Kelley, in partnership with Sporty’s Foundation, is proud to offer a female Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) member pursuing an Advanced Pilot Certificate or Rating a $3,000 award towards pilot training. The scholarship also includes lodging and admission fees to the National Business Aviation Association Conference & Exhibition (NBAA) in Las Vegas, NV, for the awards ceremony, October 22 – October 24, 2019.
Scholarship funds may be used to pay for Advanced Flight Training (i.e. Multi Engine, Instructor Certificates, ATP/CTP Courses or ATP).
Applicants must possess at least a Private Pilot Certificate. Applications must include:
Resume
Two letters of recommendation
One-page essay to include goals, future plans in aviation, what the funds will be used for and how it will help towards your goals, financial need, cost and budget towards Certificate, any leadership, mentoring, aviation activities, volunteering or involvement.
Copy of pilot certificate as proof of Private pilot
Valid Medical Certificate
Copy of logbook page demonstrating proof of currency for the award (i.e., ATP must include proof of your ATP/CTP certification and logbook hours proving eligibility to obtain the award).
Please note: The recipient must attend WCA’s Scholarship & Networking luncheon at NBAA, Las Vegas (travel not included).
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/05173937/Bose-ProFlight-in-cockpit-with-pilots.jpg533800studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2019-08-22 10:00:062021-06-08 19:23:09Apply now for FlyGirl/Sporty’s Advanced Pilot Training Scholarship
On June 19, 2019 we departed Lake Hood’s (PALH) 2,200 foot long gravel runway in Skyhawk 12138 rented from Arctic Flyers and Alaska became the 50th state in (or over) which I have flown an airplane. During the 1 hour flight, we flew over the Susitna River Flats and were able to observe Grizzlies, Moose and a pod of Beluga whales – in their natural habitat – from an altitude of 600 feet. Rather than undergo a formal checkout including studying the ins and outs of Anchorage’s FAA Part 93 area, we took CFI and knowledgeable tour guide Rick Ruess along on this memorable flight.
Flying in all the states was never a goal of mine, until last winter when my wife, Rose Ann, and I were planning our Alaskan trip to see my cousin who lives in Anchorage. I realized this would be the 50th state I had visited and started perusing my log books to determine in which states I had flown. I noticed that during a 2007 trip, delivering a 182 to a customer in Connecticut, I had knocked out VT, NH, ME, MA, RI and CT as we flew to meet the experience requirement his insurance company demanded.
Flying a new RV12 back from the factory in Oregon allowed me to add WA, ID, MT, UT and CO to the log book. A previous flight from the Cessna factory in Bend, OR indicated I had operated in CA, NV, AZ and NM. In 2005 we rented a Skyhawk from Kahului airport for a memorable flight over Maui, Lanai and the big island of Hawaii including directly over the active Kilauea volcano. So with the islands and corners covered, lots of flights in central, eastern, and southern US logged, the only state left prior to June was Alaska.
Seeing America from 3,500 feet (or less) rather than 35,000 feet (or more) has given me the opportunity to ponder how (and why) I am so obsessed with flying airplanes. I have come to believe we are so infatuated with flight because the air, for most of human existence, has been the one aspect of this planet off limits to us. We are made to walk upon the land. We can swim some distance in our streams, lakes, oceans and even hold our breath for a minute or so to explore their depths. But we cannot fly. We simply aren’t made for it. Our bones are too dense, our lungs inadequate to take in the considerable Oxygen required to metabolize the necessary energy. We have hair instead of feathers.
But mankind has always dreamed of flying. Quoting from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah reference is made to “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles:” Greek mythology tells the story of Icarus, who after his father constructed him wings of wax and feathers flew too close to the sun, melting his waxen wings and falling to his death in the sea.
From the 9th century stories of Arabian Nights, we learn of the idea of a magic carpet described as, “Whoever sitteth on this carpet and willeth in thought to be taken up and set down upon another site will, in the twinkling of an eye, be borne thither, be that place near hand or distant many a day’s journey and difficult to reach.” This description leads me to believe our airplanes are real, not mythical, magic carpets.
In the early 1800s it took Lewis and Clark over two years to travel from Pittsburgh to the Pacific coast. By the mid-1800s, settlers, averaging 10 miles a day could travel from Missouri to Oregon in about five months. By 1930, using trains with sleeper cars at night, and Ford Tri-motors during the day, a coast to coast trip could be accomplished in three full days. Today the estimated time for that trip in a Cessna 182 would be about 17 hours. Easily accomplished in two days with a leisurely stop for a night in Oklahoma City about half way. Rather than wind through mountain valleys and along river beds, the airplane allows us to fly the relatively straight line old timers would refer to “as the crow flies.”
So our airplanes are indeed magic carpets allowing us to decrease both travel time and distance. Truly a modern miracle that has changed our lives and for us pilots, worth the considerable time and money spent on our obsession. So on your next flight, take a few moments to ponder where you are, how you got there, and why you, of all the people who ever existed, were lucky enough to be born in this age of flight. Successful flights, common with birds, bats and bees has only been accomplished by about one hundredth of one percent of humans who have ever lived. We know that looking at the ground from the sky in an airplane we are piloting changes forever how we pilots look at the sky from the ground. Enjoy it. I have.
The place: Central Illinois Regional Airport (KBMI), Bloomington, IL
The aircraft: C172
The memory: Super proud Dad CFI moment!
I got to solo both my kids this week! They both did fantastic. The future looks bright. Both will be attending Liberty University this fall to pursue advanced ratings in preparation for careers in aviation.
Want to share your “Friday Photo” of your solo or checkride moment? Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/05172413/rachel-and-tanner-smith-scaled.jpg21072560studentpltnewshttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngstudentpltnews2019-08-16 10:00:492021-06-08 19:23:09Friday photo: brother sister first solo
How to file VFR Flight Plans using the new ICAO format
/in Tips and technique/by studentpltnewsAs your flight training progresses and you start flying further away from your local practice area to new airports, you’ll learn all about VFR flight plans and their role in the aviation system. This free service is designed to let someone know that you’ll be out flying for the day, your planned route of flight, and when and where you expect to land. Then in the unlikely event you have to perform an off-airport landing and are out of range of communications, rescue workers will know where to come looking for you.
In the days before computers and tablets, these were typically filed with a Flight Service Station (FSS) over the phone, and then activated in the air by calling FSS again over a dedicated radio frequency. Mobile technology has changed this though, and most pilots take advantage of the VFR flight plan functions in mobile apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot, or directly on the Flight Service website (learn more about how to file a VFR Flight Plan from a variety of mobile apps here).
ICAO stands for the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the group’s goal is to keep aviation processes and infrastructure standard across all countries in the world. Fortunately, most of the major iPad apps and online web planning services support the ICAO flight plan form as an option when submitting a flight plan, so the infrastructure is in place to make it an easy transition for you.
Looking at the ForeFlight app as an example, head over to the Flights tab and set up a sample VFR flight from your home airport to another airport. After entering the basics, tap the Proceed to File button at the bottom of the screen to load the flight plan window. Tap the “Form Type” row at the top, and switch the method from FAA/Domestic to ICAO.
Setting up your airplane profile
The ICAO flight plan form requires you to identify each part of your avionics configuration.
We’re going to continue with ForeFlight to show how this all works. Go to the More tab, select Aircraft from the options on the left, and choose one of your existing profiles. ForeFlight includes a lot of customization options here, with a mix of performance data used for flight planning, along with required data for the ICAO flight plan form. Here are the areas to focus on for now:
If you’re flying IFR or want to be more precise on the equipment fields, check out this article on how to determine your exact ICAO equipment, surveillance and PBN codes: How to Comply with ICAO Flight Plan Requirements.
The hard work is now done. After saving your updated aircraft profile, ForeFlight will automatically populate the flight plan form each time when filing a new VFR flight plan with the ICAO form type selected. You’ll be able to review all the details (and modify emergency equipment as necessary) each time prior to submission. After pressing File, the data is sent the same way to Flight Service, and you can open and close it using the traditional methods on using your airplane radio, telephone or in the apps.
One improvement worth pointing out is that file VFR Flight Plans now include the supplemental pilot data field in the transmission to Flight Service, which contains pilot contact information, along with the VFR flight plan to the destination facility, to reduce Search and Rescue response times.
Women in Aviation announces 2020 scholarships valued at nearly $600k
/in Tips and technique, Uncategorized/by studentpltnewsApplication deadline: November 12, 2019
To be eligible, applicants must be a member of WAI in good standing and complete the online application by November 12, 2019. A special student membership rate to WAI is available for only $32/year and includes a subscription to Aviation for Women magazine, discount registration fees for conferences or events, and edibility for scholarships. Members also gain access to the Members Only area of WAI.org that includes job postings and chapter pages.
For additional membership and scholarship information and to apply, visit WAI.org/scholarships.
Video: a very remote $100 hamburger
/in Fun Flying Videos/by studentpltnewsThe $100 hamburger is a favorite of pilots – take off, fly somewhere and enjoy a meal with fellow pilots. For most pilots that means a half hour flight to a paved runway and an airport diner, but not in Alaska. In this fascinating video, you’ll fly into a remote strip in Alaska to visit the Skwentna Roadhouse. It’s not your everyday lunch flight!
Video courtesy of Aviation101.
Apply now for FlyGirl/Sporty’s Advanced Pilot Training Scholarship
/in Uncategorized/by studentpltnewsFlyGirl / Sporty’s Advanced Pilot Training Scholarship – Value: $3,100
Deadline to apply: September 1, 2019
Scholarship funds may be used to pay for Advanced Flight Training (i.e. Multi Engine, Instructor Certificates, ATP/CTP Courses or ATP).
Applicants must possess at least a Private Pilot Certificate. Applications must include:
Please note: The recipient must attend WCA’s Scholarship & Networking luncheon at NBAA, Las Vegas (travel not included).
FMI information and to apply: https://www.wca-intl.org/scholarship-opportunities/
Magic carpet rides
/in Having fun, Personal stories/by studentpltnewsFlying in all the states was never a goal of mine, until last winter when my wife, Rose Ann, and I were planning our Alaskan trip to see my cousin who lives in Anchorage. I realized this would be the 50th state I had visited and started perusing my log books to determine in which states I had flown. I noticed that during a 2007 trip, delivering a 182 to a customer in Connecticut, I had knocked out VT, NH, ME, MA, RI and CT as we flew to meet the experience requirement his insurance company demanded.
Flying a new RV12 back from the factory in Oregon allowed me to add WA, ID, MT, UT and CO to the log book. A previous flight from the Cessna factory in Bend, OR indicated I had operated in CA, NV, AZ and NM. In 2005 we rented a Skyhawk from Kahului airport for a memorable flight over Maui, Lanai and the big island of Hawaii including directly over the active Kilauea volcano. So with the islands and corners covered, lots of flights in central, eastern, and southern US logged, the only state left prior to June was Alaska.
Seeing America from 3,500 feet (or less) rather than 35,000 feet (or more) has given me the opportunity to ponder how (and why) I am so obsessed with flying airplanes. I have come to believe we are so infatuated with flight because the air, for most of human existence, has been the one aspect of this planet off limits to us. We are made to walk upon the land. We can swim some distance in our streams, lakes, oceans and even hold our breath for a minute or so to explore their depths. But we cannot fly. We simply aren’t made for it. Our bones are too dense, our lungs inadequate to take in the considerable Oxygen required to metabolize the necessary energy. We have hair instead of feathers.
But mankind has always dreamed of flying. Quoting from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah reference is made to “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles:” Greek mythology tells the story of Icarus, who after his father constructed him wings of wax and feathers flew too close to the sun, melting his waxen wings and falling to his death in the sea.
From the 9th century stories of Arabian Nights, we learn of the idea of a magic carpet described as, “Whoever sitteth on this carpet and willeth in thought to be taken up and set down upon another site will, in the twinkling of an eye, be borne thither, be that place near hand or distant many a day’s journey and difficult to reach.” This description leads me to believe our airplanes are real, not mythical, magic carpets.
In the early 1800s it took Lewis and Clark over two years to travel from Pittsburgh to the Pacific coast. By the mid-1800s, settlers, averaging 10 miles a day could travel from Missouri to Oregon in about five months. By 1930, using trains with sleeper cars at night, and Ford Tri-motors during the day, a coast to coast trip could be accomplished in three full days. Today the estimated time for that trip in a Cessna 182 would be about 17 hours. Easily accomplished in two days with a leisurely stop for a night in Oklahoma City about half way. Rather than wind through mountain valleys and along river beds, the airplane allows us to fly the relatively straight line old timers would refer to “as the crow flies.”
So our airplanes are indeed magic carpets allowing us to decrease both travel time and distance. Truly a modern miracle that has changed our lives and for us pilots, worth the considerable time and money spent on our obsession. So on your next flight, take a few moments to ponder where you are, how you got there, and why you, of all the people who ever existed, were lucky enough to be born in this age of flight. Successful flights, common with birds, bats and bees has only been accomplished by about one hundredth of one percent of humans who have ever lived. We know that looking at the ground from the sky in an airplane we are piloting changes forever how we pilots look at the sky from the ground. Enjoy it. I have.
Friday photo: brother sister first solo
/in Friday Photo/by studentpltnewsThe moment: Brother and sister first solo
The pilots: Rachel Smith and Tanner Smith
The place: Central Illinois Regional Airport (KBMI), Bloomington, IL
The aircraft: C172
The memory: Super proud Dad CFI moment!
I got to solo both my kids this week! They both did fantastic. The future looks bright. Both will be attending Liberty University this fall to pursue advanced ratings in preparation for careers in aviation.
Want to share your “Friday Photo” of your solo or checkride moment? Send your photo and description (using the format above) to: [email protected]