What is a requirement for filing a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary?

Filing a Flight Plan or Flight Itinerary is crucial for ensuring safety and clear communication with air traffic control, especially for flights that venture beyond local areas. The requirement for all flights beyond 25 nautical miles from the departure aerodrome is based on the need to provide situational awareness for air traffic management. This distance allows for sufficient tracking of the flight, ensuring that any necessary search and rescue operations can be initiated in the event that the flight does not arrive as planned.

The requirement applies to both VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flights, as safety protocols dictate that all flights venturing a significant distance from the point of origin must be monitored. By mandating a flight plan for flights exceeding 25 nautical miles, aviation authorities ensure better coordination and a standardized approach to air traffic management, which is vital for maintaining safety in the skies.