Sage-Tips

Do you have to file a flight plan for a private plane?

The only time a flight plan is mandatory is when flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in controlled airspace, and the reasons for flying IFR are: You are in Class A airspace. This is high-altitude jet country.

What documents do I need to fly as a private pilot?

When flying solo, you must have a number of documents with you while flying:

• Student Pilot certificate.
• Government issued photo ID.
• Current solo endorsement.
• If pursuing the Private license. A current third-class medical.
• If you are on a solo cross-country flight (more than 25NM from the starting point)

How do pilots file a flight plan?

How to file your flight plan (domestic or international)

• Submit a hardcopy flight plan form to your local flight service station.
• Call Flight Services (1-800-WX-BRIEF or 1-800-992-7433) — The flight services specialist will file your flight plan.
• Submit your plan online through one of the following free services:

When must a flight plan be filed?

departure
Where a flight plan is required, it must be submitted before departure to an air traffic services reporting office or, during flight, transmitted to the appropriate air traffic services unit or air-ground control radio station, unless arrangements have been made for submission of repetitive flight plans (RPLs).

Can 2 pilots log PIC?

You can log PIC time if you are the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft which yo are qualified to fly. In the example the instrument rated pilot flew the entire flight and thus can be the only one logging PIC time. However, the other pilot MUST log . 9 safety pilot time in his logbook.

Do I need to file a flight plan for every flight?

Your flight school, through its aircraft rental agreement or other published policies, may require that you file a flight plan for every cross-country flight.

How do you comply with the requirements of being a pilot?

The only way that you can really comply with these requirements is to do your homework, develop a plan, and carefully execute what you’ve planned. As a pilot, you are required to do all those things before every flight. After you’ve gone to all that trouble, why not finish the job, and complete that final piece of paperwork?

How do flight schools keep track of pilots?

Some flight schools have their own kinds of local flight plans, dispatch logs, or other mechanisms for keeping track of their people and airplanes. Most important is that flight plans serve as a trigger for concern in the event an aircraft is overdue.

What kind of paperwork do airline pilots have to do?

For the airlines, there are manifests, schedules, training records, and reports, just on the pilot side. Then there are bid sheets and all the other documentation needed for crews to arrange schedules. Airline paperwork seems endless. If you’re learning to fly at an FAR Part 141 flight school, it may not seem much better.