FAR 91.153 — VFR Flight Plan
FAR 91.153 lists the information required when filing a VFR flight plan, including route, fuel, souls on board, and closing the plan after landing.
In Plain English
FAR 91.153 spells out exactly what information you must include when filing a VFR flight plan. Unless ATC authorizes otherwise, your flight plan must contain:
- Aircraft identification number and, if needed, the radio call sign
- Type of aircraft (or each type and the number of aircraft if it's a formation flight)
- Full name and address of the pilot in command (or formation commander)
- Point and proposed time of departure
- Proposed route, cruising altitude (or flight level), and true airspeed
- Point of first intended landing and estimated elapsed time en route
- Fuel on board, expressed in hours
- Number of persons on board (unless the FAA already has that info)
- Any other information the PIC or ATC thinks ATC needs
Why it matters: a VFR flight plan is your safety net. If you don't arrive, search and rescue uses this information to find you. The rule also requires that once your flight plan is activated, you must close it with an FAA Flight Service Station or ATC facility upon cancellation or completion — otherwise SAR efforts will be launched unnecessarily.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.153§ 91.153 VFR flight plan: Information required.
(a)Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, each person filing a VFR flight plan shall include in it the following information:
(1) The aircraft identification number and, if necessary, its radio call sign.
(2) The type of the aircraft or, in the case of a formation flight, the type of each aircraft and the number of aircraft in the formation.
(3) The full name and address of the pilot in command or, in the case of a formation flight, the formation commander.
(4) The point and proposed time of departure.
(5) The proposed route, cruising altitude (or flight level), and true airspeed at that altitude.
(6) The point of first intended landing and the estimated elapsed time until over that point.
(7) The amount of fuel on board (in hours).
(8) The number of persons in the aircraft, except where that information is otherwise readily available to the FAA.
(9) Any other information the pilot in command or ATC believes is necessary for ATC purposes.
(b)When a flight plan has been activated, the pilot in command, upon canceling or completing the flight under the flight plan, shall notify an FAA Flight Service Station or ATC facility.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What information are you required to include when filing a VFR flight plan?
Per FAR 91.153, I must include aircraft ID and call sign, aircraft type, the PIC's full name and address, point and time of departure, proposed route, cruising altitude, true airspeed, point of first intended landing with ETE, fuel on board in hours, number of persons aboard, and any other info needed by ATC.
Q2How is fuel on board reported on a VFR flight plan?
FAR 91.153(a)(7) requires fuel on board to be reported in **hours**, not gallons or pounds.
Q3What must you do after completing a flight conducted on an activated VFR flight plan?
Under FAR 91.153(b), upon canceling or completing the flight I must notify an FAA Flight Service Station or ATC facility to close the flight plan.
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Related Sections in Part 91