How to File a Flight Plan

Determine the information you need to tell the air traffic controllers and fill it out on an FAA Form 7233-1.

Select the best way to file a flight plan. There are several ways to do so including while you are still on the ground and while you are in the air. The following steps all accomplish the same thing, but you only need to select one of them.

Call a pre-flight weather briefer at 1-800-WX-BRIEF. This is the easiest and most common method of filing. After receiving a weather briefing, just let them know you'd like to file a flight plan and read them the information in the order shown on the FAA Form 7233-1. The briefer can enter the information for you.

Alternately, create a user access code at the DUATS website. This website allows you to create fuel plans as well as file flight plans, all online. This is very handy if you fly the same flights several times as you can save flight plans and just resubmit them.

Call a flight service station (FSS) from the air to file a flight plan. Look for frequencies of flight service stations on sectional and en route charts. Tell the briefer everything you would if you called her on the phone. This is also an excellent time to get any weather updates along your route of flight.

Ask an air traffic controller if they can file a flight plan for you only as a last resort. Controllers can sometimes send in the information for you if you can't get a hold of a FSS. However, controllers are usually very busy and filing flight plans is not one of their job duties. Your best bet is to try one of the previous options.