Things You'll Need:
- E6B flight computer or whiz wheel
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Step 1
Determine the route to the destination and the exact nautical miles to be covered. Use a Jeppson chart for this purpose. Write this proposed flight path on the flight plan in the route-of-flight section. When transcribing this to the flight plan, use the appropriate identification for airports such as TIA for Tampa International Airport, and for navaids or IPs as shown on the chart. If the route is direct from one IP to another, use a D with an arrow through it, which means direct. At the same time, using all of the same steps, create an alternate route.
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Step 2
Get a weather briefing from the local flight service station (FSS) either through a call or personal visit. The briefing should be three hours before and after arrival. Check the altimeter, temperature at the proposed altitude and the wind direction and speed. Check the ceiling and makeup and percent of coverage.
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Step 3
Begin the planning portion by reading the aircraft manual and check the fuel flow at the proposed RPM, amount of fuel carried, useful load, takeoff weight, center of gravity, rate of climb at what speed with what load, takeoff distance with these factors and maintenance records and airworthiness certificate.
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Step 4
Use this information if necessary under the circumstances if load, altitude, distance, center of gravity or length of runway is a factor. Use the E6B to determine the wind corrections for heading and ground speed, and use the current altimeter for barometric pressure to correct speed. When figuring the time enroute, remember to figure taxi, runup, climb to altitude speed and cruise speed as well as approach speed from IP to airport pattern and taxi. Remember to watch for fronts, where the altimeter setting will change. At this point the air density will change the airspeed. On a GPS or DME this can be checked against the instrument.
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Step 5
Pull the DOD or Jeppson flips out and look at the airport and get familiar with it. Know what time it is attended, what runways it has and how the runways are aligned, obstructions on final, frequencies, services, lighting continuous or on request, REIL, navaids, type approaches available, fuel, taxiways to destination, airport of entry, landing fees, and so on. Do the same for the alternate airport.
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Step 6
Fill out the flight plan record by checking if it is VFR, DVFR, or IFR.
In item 2 put the tail number of the aircraft.
In item 3 put the aircraft type ie: Beech Baron, and the special equipment underneath (full IFR, GPS, R Altimeter, AP).
In item 4 put the adjusted true airspeed.
In item #5 the put the initials of the point of departure.
In item 6 put the proposed departure time and leave the actual open until the plan is actuated.
Item 7 is the cruising altitude.
Item 8 is the route of flight.
Item 9 is the destination airport and city.
Item 10 is the estimated time enroute in hours and minutes,
Item 11 allows remarks for any deviation along the flight path or for cargo or whatever is out of the ordinary.
Item 12 is for the amount of fuel on board in terms of hours of endurance in hours and minutes.
Item 13 is the alternate airport.
Item 14 is the pilot's name, address and phone number and the home base for the aircraft.
Item 15 is for the number of passengers including the pilot on board.
Item 16 is for a description of the aircraft as to color.
Item 17 just asks if there was a weather briefing. The last three boxes are for FSS use. -
Step 7
Open the flight plan by calling or stopping in to the FSS and make sure that the flight plan is closed at the destination so they are not looking for the aircraft. Remember that 98 percent of aircraft accidents are pilot error. File the flight plan and fly the flight plan without deviation. Do not overestimate your capabilities or become complacent.
