AIM 

3/21/24 

e. 

When requesting a preflight briefing, identify yourself as a pilot and provide the following: 

1. 

Type of flight planned; e.g., VFR or IFR. 

2. 

Aircraft’s number or pilot’s name. 

3. 

Aircraft type. 

4. 

Departure Airport. 

5. 

Route of flight. 

6. 

Destination. 

7. 

Flight altitude(s). 

8. 

ETD and ETE. 

f. 

Prior to conducting a briefing, briefers are required to have the background information listed above so that 

they may tailor the briefing to the needs of the proposed flight. The objective is to communicate a “picture” of 

meteorological and aeronautical information necessary for the conduct of a safe and efficient flight. Briefers use 

all available weather and aeronautical information to summarize data applicable to the proposed flight. Pilots 

who have briefed themselves before calling Flight Service should advise the briefer what information has been 

obtained from other sources. 

REFERENCE

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AIM, Para 7

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5, Preflight Briefings,  contains those items of a weather briefing that should be expected or requested. 

g. 

FAA by 14 CFR Part 93, Subpart K, has designated High Density Traffic Airports (HDTA) and has 

prescribed air traffic rules and requirements for operating aircraft (excluding helicopter operations) to and from 

these airports. 

REFERENCE

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Chart Supplement, Special Notices Section. 

AIM, Para 4

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1

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21, Airport Reservation Operations and Special Traffic Management Programs. 

h. 

In addition to the filing of a flight plan, if the flight will traverse or land in one or more foreign countries, 

it is particularly important that pilots leave a complete itinerary with someone directly concerned and keep that 

person advised of the flight’s progress. If serious doubt arises as to the safety of the flight, that person should 

first contact the FSS. 

REFERENCE

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AIM, Para 5

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11, Flights Outside the U.S. and U.S. Territories. 

i. 

Pilots operating under provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 on a domestic flight without having an FAA assigned 

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letter designator, must prefix the normal registration (N) number with the letter “T” on flight plan filing; for 

example, TN1234B. 

REFERENCE

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AIM, Para 4

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2

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4, Aircraft Call Signs. 

FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 2

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3

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5, Aircraft Identity, Subpara a. 

FAA Order JO 7110.10, Appendix B, FAA Form 7233

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1, Flight Plan 

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2.  Follow IFR Procedures Even When Operating VFR 

a. 

To maintain IFR proficiency, pilots are urged to practice IFR procedures whenever possible, even when 

operating VFR. Some suggested practices include: 

1. 

Obtain a complete preflight briefing and check NOTAMs. Prior to every flight, pilots should gather all 

information vital to the nature of the flight. Pilots can receive a regulatory compliant briefing without contacting 

Flight Service. Pilots are encouraged to use automated resources and review AC 91

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92, Pilot’s Guide to a 

Preflight Briefing, for more information. NOTAMs are available online from the Federal NOTAM System (FNS) 

NOTAM Search website (https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/), private vendors, or on request from Flight 

Service. 

5

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Preflight