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EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning study materials
EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning study resources

EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning: In-flight monitoring and replanning: position reporting, revised estimates, diversion

EASA ATPL 033 Flight Planning · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

In-flight monitoring and replanning: position reporting, revised estimates, diversion

Domain 7 covers what happens after departure: position reporting, revised estimates, fuel monitoring and diversion or replanning decisions.

Position reporting and estimates

  • Standard ATS voice report: aircraft identification, position, time, flight level, next position and ETA, and the ensuing significant point.
  • If the ETA for the next reporting point changes by more than 3 minutes, ATS must be informed; ADS-C and CPDLC reduce workload but the obligation remains.
  • Significant weather or hazard reports (turbulence, icing, volcanic ash) use the AIREP/SPECI format.

Fuel monitoring and replanning

  • Fuel is checked at every waypoint against the operational flight plan; a persistent negative trend triggers a decision: change of level, reduced speed, re-route or diversion.
  • In-flight replanning means a new destination or route agreed with ATC; fuel must then cover the new trip, alternate and final reserve from the replanning point.
  • Diversion decisions use the destination alternate, the EDTO en-route alternate, weather trends, runway condition and fuel. The equal time point is where the time to either of two aerodromes is equal.

Worked example

At a waypoint 700 NM from destination the crew hold 2,900 kg. Required now = 2,300 kg remaining trip + 500 kg alternate + 700 kg final reserve = 3,500 kg, a 600 kg deficit. Continuing as planned is not acceptable, so the crew select an aerodrome 350 NM away needing 900 kg of fuel and expect to land with about 2,000 kg, well above the 700 kg final reserve. ATC is advised of the revised route and the ATS flight plan is amended. Note also that if the estimate for the next point had slipped 4 minutes, ATS must be told before any of this.

Traps

  • Recomputing only trip fuel and forgetting alternate plus final reserve.
  • Reporting an estimate change only when it exceeds 15 minutes (the threshold is 3).
  • Assuming the equal time point and the fuel critical point are the same thing.
  • Declaring MAYDAY FUEL when MINIMUM FUEL is the correct call.