PANS RAC Doc 444
PANS RAC Doc 444
An ICAO Document so fruitful in information but so difficult to locate a copy.
One day I'll scan the bits I have about FPL but for now it is a shame the authors of the Safety Sense Leaflet were so close but so far.
Essentially PANS RAC Doc 444 reads for routes:
For Flights outside designated routes
Insert points not normally 30 min flying time or 370km 200NM) apart.....
essentially the Route portion of Field 15 of the FPL (or CA48) you can use:
ATS Route (2 to 7 Characters). The coded designator assigned to the route;
i.e. BCN1, B1, UB10 etc
Significant point (2 to 11 characters) which could be:
The coded designator, (2 to 5 characters), they mean airways points but anyone can use them if you know where they are and they are on your route.
i.e. KATHY, ORTAC, or even CROFT (where have I seen that before?)
Unfortuately this does not include town names or VRP names.
If no coded designator then one of the following:
Degress only (7 Characters) i.e. 46N078W or even 50N002W
Degrees and Minutes (11 Characters)
i.e. 5052N00135 is Cap Gris-nez just North of Le Touquet
Bearing and distance from a navigation aid
therefore the VRP named KEIGHLEY west of Leeds Bradford is POL04810 which mean radial 048 deg 10 NM from POLhill VOR
The standard format does not allow for free format town names, VRP or even ICAO (or IATA) aerodrome designators like EGLL (LHR to IATA Fans) for Heathrow in the route field.