How to file a flightplan with step climbs

[David Crewson]

Hello,

I am curious if anyone can help me with how to properly file a flight plan with steps in it. For example because of weight, I may only want to climb to flight level 290, burn some fuel and when lighter, continue to FL 370? How do I properly file that flight plan?

Thanks very much,

Dave
N788DC

[Alistair Thomson]

You specify the significant point at which you wish to change altitude, followed by a slash and then the new altitude. Eg. TRN/F370 indicates a change to FL370 at TRN.

Details in Item 15 at: https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Flight_Plan_Completion

[David Crewson]

Thanks so much Alistair, appreciated.

d

[Nigam Patel]

If you're planning on changing either your altitude or cruising speed, you need to write your cruising speed AND your planned altitude following the forward slash even if you're only changing one of them. For example, you would write "TRN/N0450F370".

Cheers

[Alistair Thomson]

On 9/2/2021 at 8:13 PM, Nigam Patel said:

you need to write your cruising speed AND your planned altitude

Thanks for the clarification!

[Rob Nabieszko]

On 8/31/2021 at 4:01 PM, David Crewson said:

I am curious if anyone can help me with how to properly file a flight plan with steps in it. For example because of weight, I may only want to climb to flight level 290, burn some fuel and when lighter, continue to FL 370? How do I properly file that flight plan?

Can I also highlight one other thing: Please ensure you DO NOT CLIMB UNTIL CLEARED BY ATC.

It is appreciated if you file your step climbs, as we can work that information into our planning. But do not commence the step climb without authorization from ATC.

And hand-in-hand with that, please don't expect ATC to always read or remember your step climb requests. Just make the request with ATC when you are ready for your step climbs. (Different fuel burns/last minute load changes can cause step climbs to be delayed, so we won't automatically issue one until it is requested.)

"Moncton Centre, ACA123, request climb FL380."

You may be told to standby (briefly), while we ensure that level is clear above you and ahead of you.

 

Hopefully that went without saying for most, but I hope someone reads that and learns something.

Rob