Directs in Canada and the U.S.

[Andrej Lippay]

Hey all,

 

say I am flying from Europe to the West Coast and jet routes will increase my overall trip length. Are there any rules on directs? Would respective ARTCCs be fine with a flight plan with directs?

 

I know that European airspace is very limited and there are certain directs routes allowed.

 

Here are samples of two flight plans:

 

SONEB UP64 TENLI UL602 SUPUR UP1 GODOS P1 ROKAN N96 NEXUS UP59 BALIX DCT 62N020W DCT ELREX DCT 64N030W 65N040W 65N050W DCT CLAVY N898A MUSVA DCT YFB SCAG YBR J549 ISN DCT MLS DCT BPI DCT ODUCE J202 FFU DCT BLD J107 HEC

 

and

 

NVO Y868 SOGRI UL608 DENUT UL610 GILDA M14 STOAT UL613 TLA UN601 NEVIS UP24 NINEX UP59 BALIX DCT 62N020W 64N030W 65N040W DCT CLAVY N896A TEFFO DCT DUGNO SCAG YBR J562 DIK DCT CZI DCT OCS DCT MLF J107 HEC

 

Thanks!

Andrej

[Ryan Geckler]

Airways aren't required for flight in the US, so yes.

 

However, be sure to file a STAR - you pick the most appropriate one and if we need to change it we will.

[Evan Reiter]

Within Canada and the U.S., we normally don't write "DCT" between waypoints either. It's presumed if you simply write CZI OCS MLF that you mean CZI DCT OCS DCT MLF.

[Andrej Lippay]

Dear Ryan and Evan,

 

thanks for the clarification. Good to know! The DCT format is used in Europe as far as I am aware it is based on ICAO. I know that FAA format is different (as pointed out by Evan).

 

Cheers,

Andrej

[1275389]

For route planning between Europe and the US, I recommend using SimBrief. It's not perfect, but it works rather well. With the example below I had to avoid non-turbojet arrivals (KIMMO3, BOGET1) for instance.

EDDL-KLAX: SONE6T SONEB UP64 TENLI UL602 MIMVA L602 EMLON M79 NATEB N610 STN UN601 AKIVO UP60 ATSIX NATC SAVRY N808A SINGA YVP YMU GRAND SCAK VBI GFK DPR J107 OVETO HAKMN ANJLL1

KLAX-EDDL: ORCKA2 HAILO FFU J202 ODUCE SHR KIXCO YBR SCAG YFB NALDI 65N060W 65N050W 65N040W 64N030W 62N020W ATSIX UP60 AKIVO LONAM UL7 PAM UP62 TEBRO TEBR3G

 

I highly recommend reading this topic on the differences between European and US/CAN procedures.

* In Germany, you're actually supposed to file SIDs and STARs (for lost communication purposes if I remember correctly).

[Sebastien Bartosz]

To add to what others have said, it is perfectly fine to file directs in Canada and the US. A lot less strict than in Europe. Ideally, you should try to file at least 1 point in each FIR/ARTCC, but thats not required. You're even allowed to file lat/long within Canada.

[Andrej Lippay]

Hi Josh and Sebastien,

 

thanks for your answers. I should have stated earlier that SIDs and STARs are filled properly via PFPX. But I just wanted to focus on the route segment, hence I have left it out.

 

Cheers,

Andrej

[Ryan Geckler]

We consider them part of the route, which is why we brought it up

[Andrej Lippay]

We consider them part of the route, which is why we brought it up

 

Understood and thanks for your help!

 

Cheers,

Andrej

[Daniel Hawton]

Dear Ryan and Evan,

 

thanks for the clarification. Good to know! The DCT format is used in Europe as far as I am aware it is based on ICAO. I know that FAA format is different (as pointed out by Evan).

 

Cheers,

Andrej

 

IFR aircraft in the US file ICAO and VFR will shortly. DCT is used on ICAO FPs (even in FAA-land), but VATSIM uses the traditional FAA Domestic Flight Plan format for FPs (thus DCT isn't required). But if/when VATSIM moves to ICAO, it'll be customary to file it.

[Evan Reiter]

Dear Ryan and Evan,

 

thanks for the clarification. Good to know! The DCT format is used in Europe as far as I am aware it is based on ICAO. I know that FAA format is different (as pointed out by Evan).

 

Cheers,

Andrej

 

IFR aircraft in the US file ICAO and VFR will shortly. DCT is used on ICAO FPs (even in FAA-land), but VATSIM uses the traditional FAA Domestic Flight Plan format for FPs (thus DCT isn't required). But if/when VATSIM moves to ICAO, it'll be customary to file it.

That said, in Canada, I file NAV CANADA flight plans (close to ICAO) regularly online and have never used "DCT". When I look at them after they get ATC-approved and on FlightAware, I have never seen "DCT" used.

[Daniel Hawton]

Dear Ryan and Evan,

 

thanks for the clarification. Good to know! The DCT format is used in Europe as far as I am aware it is based on ICAO. I know that FAA format is different (as pointed out by Evan).

 

Cheers,

Andrej

 

IFR aircraft in the US file ICAO and VFR will shortly. DCT is used on ICAO FPs (even in FAA-land), but VATSIM uses the traditional FAA Domestic Flight Plan format for FPs (thus DCT isn't required). But if/when VATSIM moves to ICAO, it'll be customary to file it.

That said, in Canada, I file NAV CANADA flight plans (close to ICAO) regularly online and have never used "DCT". When I look at them after they get ATC-approved and on FlightAware, I have never seen "DCT" used.

 

FlightAware filters them out on ICAOs (NAV CAN's Canadian flight plan form doesn't require them, ICAO still does).. across service B message traffic, they are added/left in there, though. When NAVCAN joins the rest of us on ICAO with the ICAO rules, they'll need to .