Flight Plan Changes – November 15th 2012
To support enhanced surveillance and navigation systems used in today’s aviation world, ICAO has defined a number of changes to the standard items of a Flight Plan (FPL) which affect the Flight Plan data and its validation.
Since the items in question (items 7, 8, 10a, 10b, 13, 15, 16 and 18) are used in other ICAO flight-related messages as well as FPL messages, the format of these messages also changes, messages ARR, CHG, DEP, DLA, RQP and RQS.
In essence, the objectives of these changes are to:
- Mandate the inclusion of DOF in each Flight Plan;
- Allow Flight Plans to be filed up to 5 days in advance;
- Remove ambiguities in the way that CHG, DLA and other subsidiary messages relate to the flight to which they pertain;
- Allow more detailed specification of the equipment levels, status and other attributes of a flight;
- Systematise the permissible entries in item 18 of a Flight Plan;
- Provide enhanced editorial instructions for an operator filing Flight Plan messages.
These changes are scheduled to come into force on November 15th 2012.
The terminology NEW is used to denote Flight Plan messages filed according to the new changes defined, and PRESENT to identify plans filed using the existing format.
As a consequence of these changes, a number of Copperchase software products in use at ATSU and A/O’s must be upgraded in advance of the implementation date of the change so that they can receive and process both NEW and PRESENT Flight Plan messages.
Copperchase sell their products both directly and through a world-wide distribution network; So that we are able to ensure that all of today’s operational Copperchase systems are upgraded in readiness for the November date we would like all users of Copperchase systems to contact our Support Services on +44 1202 774 500. You will be offered our recommendations on your options and prices for upgrades.
We are anticipating a busy time between now and the next 18 months so may I please ask you to contact Copperchase as soon as possible.
In addition, Copperchase have identified a market for a product which is capable of performing conversion between PRESENT and NEW formats to aid customers running legacy flight data management systems from other manufacturers which have yet to be upgraded to handle the NEW format (Datasheet attached).
This new product is the FPL2012 Transition and Test Tool (TTT). As well as converting NEW to PRESENT, it will provide a partial PRESENT to NEW conversion and permit simulated Flight Plan input to assist in the testing of upgraded legacy systems. If this is of interest to you then please ask about this product when talking to the Customer Services staff.