Flight Planning

Duration (hours)

Trainees without previous aviation experience	18
Trainees with previous aviation experience	9

1.    Introduction to flight planning 
2.    Turbo-jet aircraft cruise control methods 
3.    Flight planning charts and tables for turbo-jet aircraft
4.    Calculation of flight time and minimum fuel for turbo-jet aircraft
5.    Route selection
6.    Flight planning situations
7.    Reclearance
8.    The final phases
9.    Documents to be carried on flights
10.    Flight planning exercises
11.    Threats and hijacking
12.    ETOPS

Flight Planning provides a structured and practical foundation in the methods, tools, and decision‑making processes required to prepare a safe and efficient flight. The course opens with an introduction to flight planning, outlining its purpose, regulatory context, and the operational considerations that influence planning decisions. Students then explore cruise control methods for turbo‑jet aircraft, gaining insight into how different control strategies affect fuel consumption, time efficiency, and overall performance. This leads into the use of flight planning charts and tables specific to turbo‑jet operations, which form the basis for calculating flight time and determining the minimum fuel required for a given route.

Route selection is examined in detail, with attention to weather, airspace structure, aircraft performance, and operational constraints. Learners also work through a variety of flight planning situations that reflect real‑world operational challenges. The concept of reclearance is introduced to show how fuel and routing decisions can be optimized during flight. The course then covers the final phases of flight planning, including the verification of data, coordination with dispatch, and preparation of operational documents.

Students study the documents that must be carried on flights, ensuring they understand the legal and operational requirements for compliance. Practical flight planning exercises reinforce the concepts learned and build confidence in applying them. The curriculum also addresses threats and hijacking from a planning perspective, highlighting how security considerations influence operational decisions. Finally, the course introduces ETOPS, explaining the planning requirements for extended‑range operations with twin‑engine aircraft and the additional safeguards necessary for long‑distance flights over remote areas.