Unless otherwise authorized in a facility directive, use flight progress strips to post current data on air traffic and clearances required for control and other air traffic control services. To prevent misinterpretation when data is hand printed, use standard hand-printed characters.
En route: Flight progress strips must be posted.
NOTE: A slant line crossing through the number zero and underline of the letter “s” on handwritten portions of flight progress strips are required only when there is reason to believe the lack of these markings could lead to misunderstanding. A slant line crossing through the number zero is required on all weather data.
Typed | Hand Printed | Typed | Hand Printed |
---|---|---|---|
A | ![]() |
T | ![]() |
B | ![]() |
U | ![]() |
C | ![]() |
V | ![]() |
D | ![]() |
W | ![]() |
E | ![]() |
X | ![]() |
F | ![]() |
Y | ![]() |
G | ![]() |
Z | ![]() |
H | ![]() |
||
I | ![]() |
1 | ![]() |
J | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
K | ![]() |
3 | ![]() |
L | ![]() |
4 | ![]() |
M | ![]() |
5 | ![]() |
N | ![]() |
6 | ![]() |
O | ![]() |
7 | ![]() |
P | ![]() |
8 | ![]() |
Q | ![]() |
9 | ![]() |
R | ![]() |
0 | ![]() |
S | ![]() |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
1. | Verification symbol if required. |
2. | Revision number. DSR - Not used. |
3. | Aircraft identification. |
4. | Number of aircraft if more than one, heavy aircraft indicator “H/” if appropriate, type of aircraft, and aircraft equipment suffix. |
5. | Filed true airspeed. |
6. | Sector number. |
7. | Computer identification number if required. |
8. | Estimated ground speed. |
9. | Revised ground speed or strip request (SR) originator. |
10. | Strip number. DSR - Strip number/Revision number. |
11. | Previous fix. |
12. | Estimated time over previous fix. |
13. | Revised estimated time over previous fix. |
14. | Actual time over previous fix, or actual departure time entered on first fix posting after departure. |
14a. | Plus time expressed in minutes from the previous fix to the posted fix. |
15. | Center-estimated time over fix (in hours and minutes), or clearance information for departing aircraft. |
16. | Arrows to indicate if aircraft is departing (↑) or arriving (↓). |
17. | Pilot-estimated time over fix. |
18. | Actual time over fix, time leaving holding fix, arrival time at nonapproach control airport, or symbol indicating cancellation of IFR flight plan for arriving aircraft, or departure time (actual or assumed). |
19. | Fix. For departing aircraft, add proposed departure time. |
20. | Altitude information (in hundreds of feet) or as noted below.
NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e. FL 330 as 33, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
20a. | OPTIONAL USE, when voice recorders are operational; REQUIRED USE, when the voice recorders are not operating and strips are being use at the facility. This space is used to record reported RA events. The letters RA followed by a climb or descent arrow (if the climb or descent action is reported) and the time (hhmm) the event is reported. |
21. | Next posted fix or coordination fix. |
22. | Pilot's estimated time over next fix. |
23. | Arrows to indicate north (↑), south (↓), east (→), or west (←) direction of flight if required. |
24. | Requested altitude.
NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e., FL 330 as 33, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
25. | Point of origin, route as required for control and data relay, and destination. |
26. | Pertinent remarks, minimum fuel, point out/radar vector/speed adjustment information or sector/position number (when applicable in accordance with para 2-2-1, Recording Information), or NRP. |
27. | Mode 3/A beacon code if applicable. |
28. | Miscellaneous control data (expected further clearance time, time cleared for approach, etc.). |
29-30. | Transfer of control data and coordination indicators. |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
1. | Mode 3/A beacon code, if applicable. |
2. | Number of aircraft, if more than one, and type of aircraft. |
3. | Aircraft identification. |
4. | Reduced separation flags.
|
5. | Controlling sector number. |
6. | Filed airspeed or assigned Mach number/True airspeed. |
7. | Reported flight level. May contain an indicator for a flight that is climbing (↑) or descending (↓). Reports from Mode C, ADS or position reports are displayed in that order of preference. |
8. | Cleared flight level. May contain an indicator for a future conditional altitude ( * ) that cannot be displayed. |
9. | Requested flight level, if applicable. |
10. | Previously reported position. |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
11. | Actual time over previously reported position. |
12. | Last reported position. |
13. | Actual time over last reported position. |
14. | Next reporting position. |
15. | In-conformance pilot's estimate or controller-accepted pilot's estimate for next reporting position. |
16. | Future reporting position(s). |
17. | System estimate for future reporting position(s). |
18. | Departure airport or point of origin. |
19. | Destination airport or filed point of flight termination. |
20. | Indicators. Indicators and toggles for displaying or suppressing the display of the route of flight (F), second flight profile (2), radar contact (A), annotations (&), degraded Required Navigation Performance (RNP, indicator R) and clearance restrictions (X). |
21. | Coordination indicator(s). |
22. | Annotations. |
23. | Clearance restrictions and conditions (may be multiple lines). |
24. | Strip number and total number of strips (printed strips only). |
Facility managers can authorize omissions and/or optional use of spaces 2A, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10-18, if no misunderstanding will result. These omissions and/or optional uses must be specified in a facility directive.
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
1. | Aircraft identification. |
2. | Revision number (FDIO locations only). |
2a. | Strip request originator. (At FDIO locations this indicates the sector or position that requested a strip be printed.) |
3. | Number of aircraft if more than one, heavy aircraft indicator “H/” if appropriate, type of aircraft, and aircraft equipment suffix. |
4. | Computer identification number if required. |
5. | Secondary radar (beacon) code assigned. |
6. |
(FDIO Locations.) The previous fix will be printed. (Non-FDIO Locations.) Use of the inbound airway. This function is restricted to facilities where flight data is received via interphone when agreed upon by the center and terminal facilities. |
7. | Coordination fix. |
8. | Estimated time of arrival at the coordination fix or destination airport. |
8a. | OPTIONAL USE. |
8b. |
OPTIONAL USE, when voice recorders are operational; REQUIRED USE, when the voice recorders are not operating and strips are being used at the facility. This space is used to record reported RA events when the voice recorders are not operational and strips are being used at the facility. The letters RA followed by a climb or descent arrow (if the climb or descent action is reported) and the time (hhmm) the event is reported. |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
9. |
Altitude (in hundreds of feet) and remarks.
NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e., FL 230 as 23, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
9a. |
Minimum fuel, destination airport/point out/radar vector/speed adjustment information. Air traffic managers
may authorize in a facility directive the omission of any of these items,
except minimum fuel, if no misunderstanding will result.
NOTE: Authorized omissions and optional use of spaces must be specified in the facility directive concerning strip marking procedures. |
9b. | OPTIONAL USE. |
9c. | OPTIONAL USE. |
10-18 | Enter data as specified by a facility directive. Radar facility personnel need not enter data in these spaces except when nonradar procedures are used or when radio recording equipment is inoperative. |
Facility managers can authorize omissions and/or optional use of spaces 2A, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10-18, if no misunderstanding will result. These omissions and/or optional uses shall be specified in a facility directive.
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
1. | Aircraft identification. |
2. | Revision number (FDIO locations only). |
2a. | Strip request originator. (At FDIO locations this indicates the sector or position that requested a strip be printed.) |
3. | Number of aircraft if more than one, heavy aircraft indicator “H/” if appropriate, type of aircraft, and aircraft equipment suffix. |
4. | Computer identification number if required. |
5. | Secondary radar (beacon) code assigned. |
6. | Proposed departure time. |
7. |
Requested altitude.
NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e., FL 230 as 23, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
8. | Departure airport. |
8a. | OPTIONAL USE. |
8b. |
OPTIONAL USE, when voice recorders are operational; REQUIRED USE, when the voice recorders are not operating and strips are being used at the facility. This space is used to record reported RA events when the voice recorders are not operational and strips are being used at the facility. The letters RA followed by a climb or descent arrow (if the climb or descent action is reported) and the time (hhmm) the event is reported. |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
9. |
Computer-generated: Route, destination, and remarks. Manually enter altitude/altitude restrictions in
the order flown, if appropriate, and remarks. Hand-prepared: Clearance limit, route, altitude/altitude restrictions in the order flown, if appropriate, and remarks. NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e., FL 230 as 23, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
9a. | OPTIONAL USE. |
9b. | OPTIONAL USE. |
9c. | OPTIONAL USE. |
10-18 | Enter data as specified by a facility directive. Radar facility personnel need not enter data in these spaces except when nonradar procedures are used or when radio recording equipment is inoperative. |
Facility managers can authorize omissions and/or optional use of spaces 2A, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C, and 10-18, if no misunderstanding will result. These omissions and/or optional uses shall be specified in a facility directive.
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
1. | Aircraft identification. |
2. | Revision number (FDIO locations only). |
2a. | Strip request originator. (At FDIO locations this indicates the sector or position that requested a strip be printed.) |
3. | Number of aircraft if more than one, heavy aircraft indicator “H/” if appropriate, type of aircraft, and aircraft equipment suffix. |
4. | Computer identification number if required. |
5. | Secondary radar (beacon) code assigned. |
6. | Proposed departure time. |
7. |
Overflight coordination indicator (FDIO locations only).
NOTE: The overflight coordination indicator identifies the facility to which flight data has been forwarded. |
8. | Estimated time of arrival at the coordination fix. |
Block | Information Recorded |
---|---|
8a. | OPTIONAL USE. |
8b. |
OPTIONAL USE, when voice recorders are operational; REQUIRED USE, when the voice recorders are not operating and strips are being used at the facility. This space is used to record reported RA events when the voice recorders are not operational and strips are being used at the facility. The letters RA followed by a climb or descent arrow (if the climb or descent action is reported) and the time (hhmm) the event is reported. |
9. |
Altitude and route of flight through the terminal area.
NOTE: Altitude information may be written in thousands of feet provided the procedure is authorized by the facility manager, and is defined in a facility directive, i.e., FL 230 as 23, 5,000 feet as 5, and 2,800 as 2.8. |
9a. | OPTIONAL USE. |
9b. | OPTIONAL USE. |
9c. | OPTIONAL USE. |
10-18 | Enter data as specified by a facility directive. |
NOTE: National standardization of items (10 through 18) is not practical because of regional and local variations in operating methods; e.g., single fix, multiple fix, radar, tower en route control, etc.
Indicate aircraft identity by one of the following using combinations not to exceed seven alphanumeric characters:
NOTE: The letter “L” is not to be used for air carrier/air taxi MEDEVAC aircraft.
Prefix | Branch |
---|---|
A | U.S. Air Force |
C | U.S. Coast Guard |
G | Air or Army National Guard |
R | U.S. Army |
VM | U.S. Marine Corps |
VV | U.S. Navy |
CFC | Canadian Forces |
CTG | Canadian Coast Guard |
Prefix | Mission |
---|---|
E | Medical Air Evacuation |
F | Flight Check |
L | LOGAIR (USAF Contract) |
RCH | AMC (Air Mobility Command) |
S | Special Air Mission |
Service | President | Family |
---|---|---|
Air Force | AF1 | EXEC1F |
Marine | VM1 | EXEC1F |
Navy | VV1 | EXEC1F |
Army | RR1 | EXEC1F |
Coast Guard | C1 | EXEC1F |
Guard | G1 | EXEC1F |
Commercial | EXEC1 | EXEC1F |
Service | President | Family |
---|---|---|
Air Force | AF2 | EXEC2F |
Marine | VM2 | EXEC2F |
Navy | VV2 | EXEC2F |
Army | RR2 | EXEC2F |
Coast Guard | C1 | EXEC2F |
Guard | G1 | EXEC2F |
Commercial | EXEC2 | EXEC2F |
Use the approved aircraft type designator, in accordance with FAA Order 7360.1, Aircraft Type Designators.
To identify aircraft piloted by solo USAF/USN undergraduate student pilots (who may occasionally request revised clearances because they normally are restricted to flight in VFR conditions), the aircraft identification in the flight plan shall include the letter “Z” as a suffix. Do not use this suffix, however, in ground-to-air communication.
NOTE: USAF solo students who have passed an instrument certification check may penetrate cloud layers in climb or descent only. Requests for revised clearances to avoid clouds in level flight can still be expected. This does not change the requirement to use the letter “Z” as a suffix to the aircraft identification.
NOTE: Directly changing the equipment suffix with a symbol preceded by a slant instead of amending the aircraft equipment codes may unintentionally alter or delete other equipment codes.
/H and /O are intended for ATC use only. These suffixes are not published in the Aeronautical Information Manual.
Separation Standard | Navigation Capability | Transponder Capability | Suffix |
---|---|---|---|
RVSM | Any | Failed transponder | /H |
Any | Failed Mode C capability | /O | |
No RNAV, No GNSS | Transponder with Mode C | /W | |
RNAV, No GNSS | Transponder with Mode C | /Z | |
GNSS | Transponder with Mode C | /L | |
Non-RVSM | No DME | No transponder | /X |
Transponder, no Mode C | /T | ||
Transponder with Mode C | /U | ||
DME | No transponder | /D | |
Transponder, no Mode C | /B | ||
Transponder with Mode C | /A | ||
TACAN | No transponder | /M | |
Transponder, no Mode C | /N | ||
Transponder with Mode C | /P | ||
RNAV, No GNSS | No transponder | /Y | |
Transponder, no Mode C | /C | ||
Transponder with Mode C | /I | ||
GNSS | No transponder | /V | |
Transponder, no Mode C | /S | ||
Transponder with Mode C | /G |
Use an appropriate clearance symbol followed by a dash (-) and other pertinent information to clearly show the clearance status of an aircraft. To indicate delay status use:
Use authorized control and clearance symbols or abbreviations for recording clearances, reports, and instructions. Control status of aircraft must always be current. You may use:
Abbreviation | Meaning |
---|---|
A | Cleared to airport (point of intended landing) |
B | Center clearance delivered |
C | ATC clears (when clearance relayed through non-ATC facility) |
CAF | Cleared as filed |
D | Cleared to depart from the fix |
F | Cleared to the fix |
H | Cleared to hold and instructions issued |
L | Cleared to land |
N | Clearance not delivered |
O | Cleared to the outer marker |
PD | Cleared to climb/descend at pilot's discretion |
Q | Cleared to fly specified sectors of a NAVAID defined in terms of courses, bearings, radials or quadrants within a designated radius. |
T | Cleared through (for landing and takeoff through intermediate point) |
V | Cleared over the fix |
X | Cleared to cross (airway, route, radial) at (point) |
Z | Tower jurisdiction |
Abbreviations | Meaning |
---|---|
BC | Back course approach |
CT | Contact approach |
FA | Final approach |
FMS | Flight management system approach |
GPS | GPS approach |
I | Initial approach |
ILS | ILS approach |
MA | Missed approach |
NDB | Nondirectional radio beacon approach |
OTP | VFR conditions-on-top |
PA | Precision approach |
PT | Procedure turn |
RA | Resolution advisory (Pilot reported TCAS event) |
RH | Runway heading |
RNAV | Area navigation approach |
RP | Report immediately upon passing (fix/altitude) |
RX | Report crossing |
SA | Surveillance approach |
SI | Straight-in approach |
TA | TACAN approach |
TL | Turn left |
TR | Turn right |
VA | Visual approach |
VR | VOR approach |
Symbols | Meaning |
---|---|
T → ( ) | Depart (direction, if specified) |
↑ | Climb and maintain |
↓ | Descend and maintain |
→ | Cruise |
@ | At |
X | Cross |
―M→ | Maintain |
⇁ | Join or intercept airway/jet route/track or course |
While in controlled airspace | |
Δ | While in control area |
↘︎Δ | Enter control area |
↗︎Δ | Out of control area |
NW◯↘︎ ◯↗︎ NE ◯→E |
Cleared to enter, depart or through surface area. Indicated direction of flight by arrow and appropriate compass letter. Maintain Special VFR conditions (altitude, if appropriate) while in surface area. |
250 K | Aircraft requested to adjust speed to 250 knots. |
-20 K | Aircraft requested to reduce speed 20 knots. |
+30 K | Aircraft requested to increase speed 30 knots. |
◯W | Local Special VFR operations in the vicinity of (name) airport are authorized until (time). Maintain Special VFR conditions (altitude if appropriate). |
< | Before |
> | After or Past |
170 | Inappropriate altitude/flight level for direction of flight. (Underline assigned altitude/flight level in red). |
/ | Until |
( ) | Alternate instructions |
Restriction | Restriction |
↧ | At or Below |
↥ | At or Above |
- (Dash) | From-to (route, time, etc.) |
(Alt)B(Alt) | Indicates a block altitude assignment. Altitudes area inclusive, and the first altitude shall be lower than the second. Example: 310B370 |
v < | Clearance void if aircraft not off ground by (time) |
NOTE: The absence of an airway route number between two fixes in the route of flight indicates "direct"; no symbol or abbreviation is required. |
CL | Pilot canceled flight plan |
✓ | EN ROUTE: Aircraft has reported at assigned altitude. Example: 80✓ |
✓ | TERMINAL/FSS: Information forwarded (indicated information forwarded as required) |
◯ | EN ROUTE: Information or revised information forwarded. (Circle, in red, inappropriate altitude/flight level for direction of flight or other control information when coordinated. Also circle, in red, the time (minutes and altitude) when a flight plan or estimate is forwarded. Use method in both inter-center and intra-center coordination. |
◯50 | Other than assigned altitude reported (circle reported altitude) |
10H6 | DME holding (use with mileages)(Upper figure indicates distance from station to DME fix, lower figure indicates length of holding pattern.) In this example, the DME fix is 10 miles out with a 6 mile pattern indicated. |
(mi.)(dir.)⁀ | DME arc of VORTAC, TACAN, or MLS. |
C―(freq.) | Contact (facility) on (freq.), (time, fix, or altitude if appropriate). Insert frequency only when it is other than standard. |
R | Radar Contact |
R | EN ROUTE: Requested altitude (preceding altitude information) |
R╱ | Radar service terminated |
R✕ | Radar contact lost |
RV | Radar vector |
RV✕ | Pilot resumed own navigation |
◯R | Radar handoff (circle symbol when handoff completed) |
E | EMERGENCY |
W | WARNING |
P | Point out initiated. Indicate the appropriate facility, sector or position. Example: PZFW. |
FUEL | Minimum fuel |
NOTE: The absence of an airway route number between two fixes in the route of flight indicates "direct"; no symbol or abbreviation is required. |