When is a flight plan or flight itinerary required?

A flight plan or flight itinerary is a crucial element of aviation safety and is required for specific situations as defined by regulations. When flying to or from military aerodromes, it's essential to file a flight plan or itinerary because military airspace and operations can involve distinct protocols and security requirements. These plans help ensure coordination with relevant air traffic control and defense agencies, ensuring both the safety of the flight and the integrity of military operations.

In certain operations, specific regulations mandate filing flight plans or itineraries, especially when operating in environments that may have varying traffic control situations, such as military airspace. This requirement is part of maintaining situational awareness and ensuring that all flights operate under predefined safety protocols, which can be critical when interacting with military air traffic.

The other situations mentioned—flying over water and flying within a specific distance of an aerodrome—may have guidelines about flight plans, but they do not carry the same uniform requirement as those involving military aerodromes, which typically necessitate a formal filing for security and coordination purposes.