New IFR flight plan codes for 2012
 

This is the ICAO doc.

This is a summary on the PPL/IR website.

I am unclear about what Block 18 codes one is supposed to use in the GA context. For example anybody with a GPS and a coupled autopilot could put in RNP 1 and probably RNP 0.3.

I can see this being used by the Eurocontrol computer as yet another reason for rejecting flight plans, by matching obscure declared equipment capabilities against State-declared airspace requirements.

I am convinced that if the number of people whose sole purpose in life is to produce bollox regulations was reduced, aviation would have to collapse, out of respect.

Field 18 is the 'remarks' block always has been always will. The only required information in F18 is DOF and Diplomatic Clearances (if you need them), everything else is supplementary. You could even request your favourite sandwich at your destination in F18 if you really wanted to! The 'RMK/' prefix still wont be computer detectable and if it is it'll be ignored as extraneous information.

On the face of it these changes mean very little to GA apart from the FPL codes are changing; enter what you have on board into the FPL F10a/b (or approximately, providing you can ensure compliance with any potential instruction given based on the aircraft capability). Unless you are flying airways with every piece of kit on the market but without a transponder no one's going to give a s:mad:t!

Edit: More significantly than over complicating an updated SOP to FPL filing, with the removal of ADF from the equipment spec does this suggest a move toward the total removal of ADF/NDB all together?

Actually, if you read the docs, you will see that an entry in field 18 is mandatory. See page 25.