MRJT Additional Procedures — Page 127, Lesson 126

I want to walk you through the computerized version of the ATC Flight Plan — specifically the CA48 format, which is the standard document we file with Air Traffic Control before every flight. Let's break it down line by line, because every single code and entry here has a precise meaning that ATC relies on. First, the aircraft identification: our callsign is JD105. The letter N tells ATC this is a Non-scheduled flight — meaning it's not a regular airline timetable service. The I stands for IFR — Instrument Flight Rules, which is how we fly when we're relying on instruments rather than visual reference outside. Next, the type of aircraft: we're operating a Boeing 757, which is classified as medium — that's the wake turbulence category, indicated by M. Then we have a string of equipment codes. S means we carry Standard navigation and communication equipment — the basic mandatory fit. X indicates plus equipment — additional capability beyond standard. Specifically, that X covers Minimum Navigation Performance Specification airspace capability — that's MNPS airspace, which requires very precise navigation, typically over the North Atlantic. And I stands for Inertial Navigation System — an INS, which gives us position without needing external radio signals. Then we have C, which means the aircraft is equipped with a Secondary Surveillance Radar transponder that has altitude transmitting capability — so ATC can see not just where we are but at what altitude we're flying. The departure airfield is EGKK — that's the ICAO code for London Gatwick. Our off-blocks time is 1830 UTC — that's the time we expect to start pushing back from the stand. Now for the route and flight level. The first cruising level is given by the code F, which introduces the requested flight level — here it's FL370, that's 37,000 feet. The cruising speed is introduced by N, and it's 457 knots True Airspeed. Our routing takes us via the Dover6M Standard Instrument Departure — that's the SID — to DVR, which is the Dover VOR. From DVR we join the UG1 airway up to the NTM VOR — that's the Nörvenich VOR in Germany. Then we follow the Nattenheim1A Standard Terminal Arrival Route — the STAR — into EDDF, which is Frankfurt Airport. The Total Estimated Elapsed flight time is 55 minutes — that's from take-off to landing at Frankfurt. The alternate airfield is EDDL — Düsseldorf Airport. We also have Estimated Elapsed Times to specific Flight Information Region boundaries. From take-off, it's 14 minutes to the Brussels FIR boundary, and 36 minutes to the Rhein FIR boundary — that's the Rhine FIR covering German airspace. The aircraft registration is GBDKC, and its SELCAL code is JDHC. SELCAL is Selective Calling — a system where the ground station sends a specific tone code to our aircraft, so we don't have to monitor the radio continuously. Now, the following details are not transmitted to ATC during the initial filing — they're held on file and only passed on if the aircraft becomes overdue. First, total fuel endurance is 1 hour 52 minutes. POB — Persons On Board — is 121. The aircraft carries a separate emergency VHF radio and maritime survival equipment, coded M. The life jackets are fitted with a seawater activated light — so they automatically illuminate if they hit salt water. We carry six dinghies, coded D, with a total capacity of 150 — that works out to 25 people per dinghy. Each dinghy has a yellow cover, coded C. Finally, the aircraft colour and markings are white and blue. All of this is documented on the CA48 form, which is covered in full in Chapter 12 of your manual. This computerized version is what ATC actually sees and uses to handle our flight from start to finish.