A/C type FPLs
Just a query for you ...
We use RPLs for our flights. A/C types are either B733s or B737s. These are RPLd according to the 'standard' line of flying set up by commercial etc.
However, we often obviously need to change the type allocated to each flight for various reasons, ie tech or operational.
SOP for us at the moment is to cancel and refile the FPL with the correct type. With the amount of sectors we fly, this can be quite time consuming. Also, we stand to lose an allocated slot if it's a change within STD-2hrs.
My question is this : will a simple FPL change message suffice - negating the need to cancel and refile, bearing in mind that the performance characteristics of a 733 and 737 are very different in flight profiles ? How much of an impact could this have on ATC seeing that an RPL may indicate FL310 for example, whearas the a/c may well request FL410 etc, and have a higher cruise speed than indicated ?
Thanks in advance.