AIM
4/3/14
5−1−13
Preflight
b. Airways and Jet Routes Depiction on Flight
Plan
1.
It is vitally important that the route of flight
be accurately and completely described in the flight
plan. To simplify definition of the proposed route,
and to facilitate ATC, pilots are requested to file via
airways or jet routes established for use at the altitude
or flight level planned.
2.
If flight is to be conducted via designated
airways or jet routes, describe the route by indicating
the type and number designators of the airway(s) or
jet route(s) requested. If more than one airway or jet
route is to be used, clearly indicate points of
transition. If the transition is made at an unnamed
intersection, show the next succeeding NAVAID or
named intersection on the intended route and the
complete route from that point. Reporting points may
be identified by using authorized name/code as
depicted on appropriate aeronautical charts. The
following two examples illustrate the need to specify
the transition point when two routes share more than
one transition fix.
EXAMPLE
−
1. ALB J37 BUMPY J14 BHM
Spelled out: from Albany, New York, via Jet Route 37
transitioning to Jet Route 14 at BUMPY intersection,
thence via Jet Route 14 to Birmingham, Alabama.
2. ALB J37 ENO J14 BHM
Spelled out: from Albany, New York, via Jet Route 37
transitioning to Jet Route 14 at Smyrna VORTAC (ENO)
thence via Jet Route 14 to Birmingham, Alabama.
3.
The route of flight may also be described by
naming the reporting points or NAVAIDs over which
the flight will pass, provided the points named are
established for use at the altitude or flight level
planned.
EXAMPLE
−
BWI V44 SWANN V433 DQO
Spelled out: from Baltimore-Washington International, via
Victor 44 to Swann intersection, transitioning to Victor 433
at Swann, thence via Victor 433 to Dupont.
4.
When the route of flight is defined by named
reporting points, whether alone or in combination
with airways or jet routes, and the navigational aids
(VOR, VORTAC, TACAN, NDB) to be used for the
flight are a combination of different types of aids,
enough information should be included to clearly
indicate the route requested.
EXAMPLE
−
LAX J5 LKV J3 GEG YXC FL 330 J500 VLR J515 YWG
Spelled out: from Los Angeles International via Jet Route 5
Lakeview, Jet Route 3 Spokane, direct Cranbrook, British
Columbia VOR/DME, Flight Level 330 Jet Route 500 to
Langruth, Manitoba VORTAC, Jet Route 515 to Winnepeg,
Manitoba.
5.
When filing IFR, it is to the pilot’s advantage
to file a preferred route.
REFERENCE
−
Preferred IFR Routes are described and tabulated in the Airport/Facility
Directory.
6.
ATC may issue a SID or a STAR, as
appropriate.
REFERENCE
−
AIM, Instrument Departure Procedures (DP)
− Obstacle Departure
Procedures (ODP) and Standard Instrument Departures (SID),
Paragraph 5
−2−8.
AIM, Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR), Area Navigation (RNAV) STAR,
and Flight Management System Procedures (FMSP) for Arrivals,
Paragraph 5
−4−1.
NOTE
−
Pilots not desiring a SID or STAR should so indicate in the
remarks section of the flight plan as “no SID” or “no
STAR.”
c. Direct Flights
1.
All or any portions of the route which will not
be flown on the radials or courses of established
airways or routes, such as direct route flights, must be
defined by indicating the radio fixes over which the
flight will pass. Fixes selected to define the route
must be those over which the position of the aircraft
can be accurately determined. Such fixes automati-
cally become compulsory reporting points for the
flight, unless advised otherwise by ATC. Only those
navigational aids established for use in a particular
structure; i.e., in the low or high structures, may be
used to define the en route phase of a direct flight
within that altitude structure.
2.
The azimuth feature of VOR aids and that
azimuth and distance (DME) features of VORTAC
and TACAN aids are assigned certain frequency
protected areas of airspace which are intended for
application to established airway and route use, and
to provide guidance for planning flights outside of
established airways or routes. These areas of airspace
are expressed in terms of cylindrical service volumes
of specified dimensions called “class limits” or
“categories.”
REFERENCE
−
AIM, Navigational Aid (NAVAID) Service Volumes, Paragraph 1
3.
An operational service volume has been
established for each class in which adequate signal