Flight Planning in Aviation: A Student Pilot’s Guide

Pilots undertake a methodical process before takeoff to analyse the specifics of a flight and consider potential dangers. This process is to verify the airworthiness of the aircraft to fly a given route in the prevailing environmental conditions.

Flight planning is the integration and synthesis of a number of elements of flight and is more than determining where an aircraft will fly. These elements include navigation, communication, weather, fuel, and the performance of the aircraft, among others.

Prospective pilots need to understand this process as part of their knowledge of aviation. At 70Knots Aviation, we hold the view that the knowledge of what happens before take-off is as important as the flying skills.

The Importance of Planning

Every flight is undertaken in a variable environment. Factors such as the weather, operational requirements, routes, and the performance of the aircraft can all vary.

Relying on decisions made during the flight can prove dangerous for pilots. This is why pre-flight planning is important. Through pre-flight planning, the pilot can identify these variables and consider possible scenarios.

Students of flying training in India at Best Flight Training should treat flight planning as an extension of the ground training and flight training.

Route Planning involves looking at the geography of the route including navigation aids, airspace restrictions and ways to avoid them.

The process is broken down to the student pilot by gradually introducing concepts of flight planning. Student pilots learn basic navigation before planning complete flights.

Weather

Weather plays an important role in flight planning. Pilots look at the weather forecasts at their departure airport, en route and their destination.

Weather is made up of a combination of factors including but not limited to, visibility, clouds, winds, temperatures, precipitation, and SIGWX.

SIGWX is sometimes overlooked by student pilots, but can play a key role in affecting weather. Pilots are trained to look ahead to see what the weather may be like during the time they will be flying to assist them in making a safe decision about whether or not they can fly.

The Safety of Flight training covers weather as a means to an end, and helps student pilots understand the basis for making decisions as a pilot.

Performance

Performance of an aircraft is affected by a number of things, including weight, temperature, runway condition, and altitude. Performance of the aircraft in relation to the flight plan is vital. For the student pilot, understanding the basics of how the aircraft will perform helps them understand the limitations of the aircraft.

Fuel Planning

Enough fuel must be carried to allow the aircraft to complete the flight as planned, as well as other fuel requirements. Aerodrome Fuel Minimums and alternate fuel requirements must also be taken into account when planning the flight.

A pilot takes into account many factors when determining how much fuel the aircraft needs. These include the planned flight route and expected flight conditions. The extent of the planning necessary is determined by the type of operation and the aviation rules that apply.

Fuel planning should never be treated as simply estimating fuel consumption. It should be part of the planning and preparation process that helps the pilot make sound decisions.

Navigation and Flight Information

Prior to a flight, the pilot needs to have an idea about how he will navigate the flight. In some cases, this may include charts and/or navigation aids and other systems onboard the aircraft.

Being able to locate and identify your position on a chart is an important aspect of navigation. Pilots also need to have a general understanding about the navigation of the flight.

During their training, students learn how NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) can influence the route and flight plan. They also learn how to check relevant NOTAMs and understand the factors that may affect flight planning and route flexibility.

Weight and Balance

An approved aircraft may not be able to fly if the weight is not distributed in accordance with the approved limit. The weight of the aircraft changes due to fuel and/or passengers and cargo.

Likewise, knowledge of loading affects what a pilot can do during loading operations and upon take-off. The goal is to ensure that the planned loading remains within the applicable limitation.

Knowledge of aircraft loading affects several important decisions during flight planning, as it influences take-off performance, climb performance, fuel burn and aircraft handling.

Alternate Planning

A flight plan should account for the possibility that the intended destination may not remain suitable.

In the case of routine operations, flight plans indicate a potential alternate, which may or may not be required.

The important planning principle is that the plan needs to account for the possibility that the destinations that are further away may not be suitable.

Aircraft Condition

Flight planning is incomplete until the condition of the aircraft is taken into account.

Pilots make a number of decisions based on inspection of the aircraft documents. In addition, there are a number of pre-flight inspections that must be performed.

This confirms to the student that flight planning is closely linked to the preparation of the aircraft. Flight planning cannot account for an unserviceable aircraft.

Communication Requirements

Knowledge of the communication requirements related to the flight includes determining which air traffic services and other agencies are involved, and what the communication arrangement along the route are.

Students learn aviation communications procedures and phraseology throughout their training to be able to confidently communicate these standard phrases in clear and concise manner.

Simply memorising phrases does not serve the true purpose of learning communications. Understanding and being able to effectively communicate phrases builds the foundation for flight safety and assists in transition coordination.

What does a student learn before flight planning?

Students are not expected to fully comprehend flight planning in the initial stages. Knowledge is combined with practical experience, and through advancement in training, students become more actively involved in different aspects of flight planning.

Student: Before I am involved in flight planning, what do I need to learn?

Counselor: First you learn a foundation of basic subjects such as navigation, meteorology, air laws and regulations, and theory related to aircraft.

Student: Do I learn the theory first and then practice it?

Counselor: You learn the theory and concept first and then practice it in a real flight. As training progresses, instructors show you how the theories and concepts relate to particular flights. Gradually you involve yourself in understanding the route, reviewing flight weather, assessing aircraft performance and other related factors.

Student: So do I plan flights by myself from the start?

Counselor: No. It is a gradual process to develop planning and coordination abilities and right judgment rather than completing tasks on checklist. The focus is on flight planning procedures rather than flight planning itself. The same principles related to flight planning is applied on other areas of aviation as well.

Flight Planning Skills

Gaining understanding of the connections between ground subjects aids the planning of flights. Navigation aids understanding of the route, meteorology assists in evaluation of the weather, subjects involving the aircraft help in determining performance and loading, and air law provides the framework for safe operations.

Knowledge of the “ground” helps students understand the reasoning behind most flight planning decisions. Practical flying helps students correlate the knowledge they have to the operation of the aircraft.

Comprehensive “ground” work is always complemented by flying experience. It provides a base from which students can operate with better awareness, judgement and confidence during flying.

Some Common Questions Students Ask

1. Do student pilots learn flight planning before they start flying?

Planning a flight requires the consideration of a number of factors including weather, navigation, fuel, NOTAMs, performance, loading, alternates, communication, and the general serviceability of the aircraft. Pilots are introduced to these factors during their training and flight planning skills are developed in the course of their practical flying experience.

2. Is flight planning only about choosing a route?

No. There are many other factors which may be relevant. Weather is one of them and others include performance, fuel, navigation, NOTAMs, loading, alternates, general serviceability of the aircraft, and communication.

3. Why do pilots check the weather before every flight?

Weather conditions may change and affect the suitability of the route or the conditions at the destination. Pilots are required to consider these before making a final decision to fly.

4. Why are NOTAMs important to student pilots?

It is important to understand NOTAMs as a student pilot as they help explain changes to aspects that affect a flight. Learning to identify their importance is crucial as it creates habits for good planning.

5. How does ground school help with practical flight planning?

Ground school teaches the reasoning and logic behind the planning and preparation done before a flight, as well as the decisions made in the cockpit after take-off. Students can connect the subjects learned to actual flying practices.

Preparation and Attention to Detail

Various aspects of a flight can influence each other in many ways and to consider all the different permutations takes preparation, attention to detail and a general understanding of flight principles.

New student pilots are not required to memorise everything, as this is not an efficient way of learning. The goal is to train students the organised way to think about flights and factors which can influence a flight. 70Knots Aviation teaches students in a way which allows their theoretical and practical knowledge to progress at the same rate.

Strong planning builds a base for strong flying. While students of aviation may not be flying a planned flight, understanding the reasoning and logic behind the flight planning does help build the foundations to become a professional pilot.
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