Flight department manual and safety services specialist AviationManuals has issued an updated version of its flight-planning guide aimed at reducing errors in flight plans and helping streamline the letter of authorization (LOA) application process. The Maryland-based company analyzed thousands of LOA applications to update the guide and help users navigate their way through the many pitfalls in the process.

“More than 80 percent of applications fail because the equipment of the aircraft does not match what is being claimed and filed on the flight plan,” explained AviationManuals CEO Mark Baier. “There are a large number of codes available, and it can be difficult to determine which does apply under the right circumstances.”

Among the revisions in the new document are clarification on avionics requirements and when the satellite voice communication codes may be used on a flight plan, the addition of the "CPDLCX" equipment code to provide clarification on the use of this code for aircraft exempt from European Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) mandates, and links to additional information about other more obscure CPDLC codes.

“These improvements will be extremely helpful to operators by ensuring the correct codes are utilized in the flight planning process,” Baier added. “Operators can then obtain the essential documents and approvals needed to participate in various operations without any avoidable delays.”