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2 Answers

File 1 or 2 flight plans

Asked by: 13446 views Instrument Rating

When flying a long x country where a fuel stop is required. Can I (should I) file 1 or 2 seperate flight plans?

IFR and fuel stop short (30 min)

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2 Answers



  1. John D. Collins on Mar 17, 2013

    For an IFR flight, I have always filed multiple flightplans. I have occasionally landed at an airport and indicated that I was planning on a short stop. The conditions were VMC and I had filed to both the first airport and the second airport on separate flightplans. Since I could depart VFR, the controller advised me to keep the same code and to contact him after I was airborne. Also note that I needed a second clearance for my second leg. As a practical matter, filing the second flightplan is the only way I know how to do it for an IFR flight. I am usually not too concerned with getting the departure time exactly right for the second leg as ATC will have access to the flightplan information from an hour before to two hours after the scheduled time. If it becomes obvious I will be outside this window, I will update the flightplan departure time before I land.

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  2. Bob Bernal on Mar 17, 2013

    Either technique is acceptable. I choose to just file a “Stopover” flight plan if I have stops to my destination.

    FAA Order JO 7110.10W states, “When multiple (two or more) flight plans are received from the same aircraft, or for flight plans which propose alternating VFR and IFR, stopover, or terminal area delay, the station receiving the flight plans transmits separate flight plans to the appropriate ARTCCs for each IFR portion or segment.

    So either way, you should be covered.

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