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When will ATC delete from the system a departure flight plan that has not been activated?

User Dineth
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

ATC will delete a departure flight plan that has not been activated within 2 hours of the proposed departure time. Pilots should update ATC with any delays to avoid deletion. If the flight plan is deleted, a new one must be filed.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to aviation regulations, ATC (Air Traffic Control) will generally delete a departure flight plan from the system if it has not been activated within a specific timeframe. This is commonly known as the flight plan "time-out" period. For IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) flight plans in the United States, this period is typically 2 hours from the proposed departure time indicated on the flight plan. If the flight plan is not activated by the pilot or by contacting ATC within this window, it is automatically deleted from the system to maintain accuracy and currency of operational data.

To avoid a flight plan being deleted when there are delays, pilots or their dispatchers should update the estimated departure time with flight service or ATC. This is especially important if the pilot knows in advance that the flight will be delayed beyond the 2-hour window. Otherwise, a new flight plan must be filed if the original one has been removed from the system.

User MartinBA
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