RNP Flight Plan Requirements

AIM ¶ 4-7-5 — RNP Flight Plan Requirements

AIM 4-7-5 explains how to file RNP 10/RNP 4 authorization on FAA Form 7233-4 to obtain 50 NM lateral separation in the Gulf of America CTAs/FIRs.

In Plain English

To get 50 NM lateral separation and the preferred routing that comes with it in the Gulf of America CTAs/FIRs, an operator authorized for RNP 10 or RNP 4 must file the international flight plan (FAA Form 7233-4) with specific codes. This is how ATC knows your aircraft qualifies for the reduced separation standard.

The required annotations are:

Item 10a (Equipment): include the letter "R" to indicate PBN approval.
Item 18: include "PBN/A1" for RNP 10 authorization, or "PBN/L1" for RNP 4 authorization.

A few key points to remember:

Filing RNP 4 (PBN/L1) automatically implies the aircraft and pilots are also authorized for RNP 10.
RNP 10 and RNAV 10 are the same thing — they share the same code.
A complete list of flight plan codes is found in Chapter 5, Section 1 of the AIM.

Missing or incorrect coding means ATC cannot apply the reduced separation, which can cost you the preferred oceanic routing.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 4-7-5

4-7-5. 4-7-5. Flight Plan Requirements In order for an operator with RNP 10 or RNP 4 authorization to obtain 50 NM lateral separation in the Gulf of America CTAs/FIRs, and therefore obtain preferred routing available to RNP authorized aircraft, the international flight plan form (FAA 7233-4) must be annotated as follows: Item 10a (Equipment) must include the letter “R.” Item 18 must include either “PBN/A1” for RNP 10 authorization or “PBN/L1” for RNP 4 authorization. Indication of RNP 4 authorization implies the aircraft and pilots are also authorized RNP 10. Chapter 5 , Section 1 , of this manual includes information on all flight plan codes. RNP 10 has the same meaning and application as RNAV 10. They share the same code.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1How do you annotate an international flight plan to obtain 50 NM lateral separation in the Gulf of America CTAs/FIRs?

Per AIM 4-7-5, on FAA Form 7233-4, Item 10a (Equipment) must include the letter "R," and Item 18 must include "PBN/A1" for RNP 10 authorization or "PBN/L1" for RNP 4 authorization.

Q2If you file PBN/L1 for RNP 4, do you also need to indicate RNP 10 authorization separately?

No. Per AIM 4-7-5, indication of RNP 4 authorization implies the aircraft and pilots are also authorized RNP 10.

Q3What is the relationship between RNP 10 and RNAV 10 on a flight plan?

Per AIM 4-7-5, RNP 10 has the same meaning and application as RNAV 10, and they share the same flight plan code.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 4

¶ 4-7-1

Gulf RNP Lateral Separation

¶ 4-7-2

Non-RNP 10 Gulf Operations

¶ 4-7-3

RNP 10/4 Authorization

¶ 4-7-4