What is a Composite Flight Plan?
The composite flight plan is a unique type of flight plan that you can file with ATC that combines both VFR and IFR segments. They are designated by either a “Y” (for IFR first, then VFR) or a “Z” (VFR first, then IFR) in item 8 of the ICAO flight plan.
Throughout this post, we will be referring to Foreflight when filing these types of plans. Internally Foreflight uses “YFR” and “ZFR” to designate composite plans.
A note about composite flight plans in the USA. Although the USA uses the ICAO flight plan form. The FAA currently does not support composite plans. In other words you cannot use “Y” or “Z” in item 8 of the ICAO flight plan to specify such. Please consult the AIP for the country in which you are flying to see if they support composite flight plans.
The route portion of the flight plan (item 15) will clearly mark when the flight is to transition from one flight rule to another, we will go over that in more detail later.
Why Would a Pilot File a Composite Flight Plan?
Flexibility: It gives you the ability to depart or arrive at an airport withouth IFR procedures. Flying VFR initially to avoid IFR departure delays, or switching to IFR due to deteriorating weather enroute.
Optimizing efficiency by flying IFR through busy airspace, then switching to VFR where IFR clearances are impractical or inefficient. Lets take a look at some practical examples where a composite plan might benefit you.
Use-Case 1: Departing a small, uncontrolled aerodrome without IFR departure procedures
You depart an uncontrolled aerodrome that has no IFR departure available, intending to transition to IFR enroute once reaching controlled airspace.
Lets take the following example: You’re flying out of Collingwood (CNY3) to Kingston (CYQG). The weather is great for a VFR departure out of Collingwood plus there is no IFR departure procedure out of that airport.
However, the ceilings are lower along lake Ontario forcing you to do an IFR arrival into Kingston. Lets put together a VFR to IFR (Z) flight plan.
Taking a look at the IFR chart for the area around Collingwood, there is an IFR intersection that will be a great candidate to transition from VFR to IFR: TANGI.
Bringing up the Route Advisor in Foreflight we can see that ATC has cleared a few aircraft from TANGI to CYGK via the MIVOK waypoint. So lets select that route.
Proceed to “File Plan” in Foreflight but before submitting it ensure you make the following two changes:
Ensure that the flight rules is set to “Z”
Alter the routing so that you insert “IFR” after the TANGI intersection to denote that from this point forward your flight will be flying under instrument flight rules. For another way to do this, check out the second scenario below.
Submit the flight plan and you’re all set! Depart VFR from Collingwood and head towards the TANGI intersection. Be sure to call up the appropriate ATC unit and check in with them with your distance from TANGI when you’re ready to transition from VFR to IFR.
Feel free to do some sightseeing and other benefits the VFR portion offers you before proceeding enroute.
Use-Case 2: Avoiding high IFR altitudes in mountainous areas.
Departing out of the Vancouver area (Pitt Meadows CYPK), you want to make your way east through the rockies to Princeton (CYDC). However your GA aircraft does not have supplemental oxygen, which will be required on this route since the minimum enroute altitude for an IFR flight is 13,000′.
Looking up common routes between these two airports, ATC will most likely clear you “FERRY T800 SENSA” at 13,000′.
However, if we take a look at the VFR chart for that region we see a VFR route through the mountains starting at the SENSA intersection:
This will allow us to fly the SENSA to CYDC segment at 5500′. In Foreflight enter the following route: “CYPK SENSA CYDC”. Then click on the SENSA waypoint in the flight plan box and select “Set Altitude/Speed” Make the necessary adjustments.
Because we chose the waypoint in Foreflight where we are going to transition from IFR to VFR, the flight plan route has automatically been updated.
Before filing, I would recommend adding in a note letting ATC know that you will be taking the mountain pass between Hope and Princeton:
Once you file, ATC will expect you to depart IFR from Pitt Meadows, then transition VFR through the mountain pass starting at the SENSA intersection.
As always heed be diligent while flying in the mountains, but be sure to enjoy the scenery!
Remember!
In Canada a flight plan is required (CAR 602.73) whenever you plan on flying farther than 25nm from your departure airport. A composite plan allows you the flexibility needed to ensure that there really is no excuse not to file a flight plan on your next trip.
Before submitting your flight plan ensure:
- The proper composite flight plan type is selected in the flight rules (item 5) section of the ICAO flight plan. “Y” for IFR to VFR and “Z” for VFR to IFR.
- Ensure that you specify where in the route (item 15) you will be transitioning flight rules by specifying either “IFR” or “VFR” after the transition waypoint.
- Offer any clarifying details in the remarks section (item 18) of the fight plan.
Don’t forget to close your flight plan when you arrive. Especially if you are on IFR to VFR composite plan.
