Blog Elements : IFR Focus

Instrument flying is demanding. It’s also deeply rewarding—when you’re prepared.

A note from the editor:

As both a pilot and a flight instructor, I know firsthand how easy it is to lose your edge when it comes to instrument flying. Proficiency isn’t just about staying legal—it’s about staying sharp, confident, and ready for whatever ATC or the weather throws your way.

That’s why we created IFR Focus—a new destination dedicated entirely to the art and science of flying in the system.

Whether you’re an experienced IFR pilot looking to stay sharp or a student climbing toward that checkride, you’ll find practical content here to help you fly safer, smoother, and smarter. We’re talking:

Real-world articles written by instrument pilots
Video tips that demonstrate techniques, not just talk about them
Scenarios that challenge your thinking and build judgment
Quizzes to reinforce what you know (and reveal what you don’t)
Flight maneuvers, chart insights, and avionics techniques
And most of all, our monthly signature feature: Practical IFR

Jeff Van West brings you Practical IFR.

At the heart of each monthly email is Practical IFR, an in-depth feature written by noted instructor and aviation writer Jeff Van West. Think of it as a cross between a blog and a deep-dive article, tackling real IFR questions and offering actionable tips you can apply to your next flight.

Do you turn onto the localizer if you’re about to blast through it but haven’t been cleared?
How should you manage glide performance engine-out in IMC with a strong headwind?
Could lowering your personal minimums actually make you a safer pilot?

These are the kinds of real-world scenarios Practical IFR explores—with written analysis, a related video tip, and a quiz question to round it out.

No spam. No fluff. Just focused IFR training you can use.

IFR Focus—a new destination dedicated entirely to the art and science of flying in the system.

We hope you enjoy the site and the newsletter. Your feedback helps us make it better—feel free to reach out anytime at IFRFocus@Sportys.com.

—
Eric Radtke
Editor, IFR Focus

You'll be required to file all flight plans using the ICAO format later this year.

All VFR and IFR flight plans must be filed using the ICAO form.

Filing a VFR or IFR flight plan today is a breeze when using an aviation app like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot, since the File function is integrated right into both apps’ standard flight planning features. The one area related to this, which can be slightly confusing though, is entering all the correct aircraft equipment codes when you go to file.

The international (ICAO) flight plan form, which is required to be used for all VFR and IFR flight plans filed in the U.S., requests detailed information about your airplane’s navigation, communication, surveillance (transponder) and survival equipment.

While this may seem intimidating at first, you’ll only need to do it once, thanks to the ability to set up aircraft profiles in each app. After entering all the data once, the profile will automatically be saved, streamlining data entry for future flight plans. Here, we will look at the information needed and some sample airplane configurations to help make this initial setup easier.

Setting up your airplane profile

We will focus on ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot for this ICAO flight plan discussion. While both apps ultimately require the same set of information, some of the equipment requirements are grouped together differently in each program, which can lead to confusion. For that reason, we will help you identify your equipment first, making it easier to enter your specific application.

In ForeFlight, go to the More tab, select Aircraft from the options on the left, and here you can either add a new aircraft or modify an existing one. You’ll see fields to enter the ICAO equipment details towards the bottom of the screen after selecting one of the N#s from the list.

In Garmin Pilot, head to the main Settings section and choose Aircraft from the options on the left. Just like with ForeFlight, you can either add a new aircraft or modify one of your existing profiles.

The exact layout of each app’s aircraft profile data-entry screen varies a bit, but in the end, they’re all looking for the same information to ensure you meet the ICAO requirements:

Basic Airplane Data–The first step is to enter the standard data, like N#, aircraft type, color and the home airport. Something new you’ll see is Wake Turbulence Category, and you’ll enter Light (L) here when under 15,500 lbs.
Communication Radios–Most GA airplanes are equipped with VHF radios, so this is the only selection necessary here. If your radio has 8.33 kHz spacing and allows you to select the 3rd decimal place when tuning in a frequency (e.g. 122.975 vs. 122.97), select that option as well.
Navigation and Approach Aids–Here you’ll specify which type of navigation radios are on board. The most common selections are ADF, GPS (listed sometimes as GNSS), DME, ILS, VOR and LPV (if you have an approach-approved WAAS GPS). You can also use the “S” code if you have the standard configuration of VOR, VHF radio and ILS receiver. If you have a GPS receiver that meets a minimum level of performance-based navigation (see next bullet point on PBN), you’ll also use the “R” code here to indicate that capability. You probably don’t have any of the other equipment options listed in this group like ACARS/SATCOM/CPDLC (unless you own an Airbus or a Boeing jet), so skip those options and continue on.
Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)–This grouping is used to identify the RNAV & RNP capabilities of your GPS receiver if installed. This is one of the more confusing aspects of the form, but fortunately, Garmin publishes a “cheat sheet” to help you out if you have a Garmin GPS or glass cockpit system in your panel: Garmin ICAO Flight Plan Equipment Codes. In this file, you’ll see 3 tabs across the bottom — choose the first one, labeled ICAO Flight Plans & Eligibility. This will list out exactly what codes to select in the PBN category for your particular setup.
Surveillance–The ADS-B transponder requirement has expanded the number of transponder options and configurations available. There are 2 parts to the ICAO equipment requirement: first, identify the transponder type, and second specify the ADS-B capabilities. If you have a Garmin transponder installed, refer back to their Excel spreadsheet and go to the 3rd tab, labeled ICAO Surveillance Equipment for help. If you’re not ADS-B out equipped, you’ll only enter one code–most likely code “C” for a Mode C transponder or code “S” for a Mode S transponder.
Survival Equipment–The last step is to add is any survival equipment on board, including life jackets, emergency radios and dinghies.

ICAO Flight Plan Tips

It doesn’t take long to be overwhelmed by all the information required. Take your time and be thorough with your airplane’s assessment. Garmin Pilot includes helpful tips for each field while filling out the data and a comprehensive filing resource here. ForeFlight offers an ICAO Filing Manual, How-to blog and video to guide you along the way.

Check with your avionics manufacturer for help on specific equipment codes to select.The best advice is if you’re unsure of whether or not you have a piece of navigation equipment on the list, leave it unchecked, as this is what ATC will look at when clearing you for advanced routes and procedures. It’s not the end of the world if you mess this up–it’s more important for high-altitude RVSM aircraft, international flights and when flying to busy airports where RNAV arrivals and approaches are used. If you’re still unsure, check with your avionics manufacturer, as they will be able to help you identify the specific codes for your GPS and transponder configuration.We came across one point of confusion to be aware of: the code B1 is used in two different areas and means 2 completely different things. In the surveillance section, it is used to categorize an ADS-B transponder with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B “out” capability. You’ll also see B1 in the PBN section, which is used to identify RNAV 5 capability.

Some of the forms will also ask for your Mode S transponder’s unique Hex Code, which is required if you’re equipped with an ADS-B out transponder. You can look up your code using your airplane’s N# on the FAA registry site.

Finally, we’ll point out that you only should identify certified, panel-mount ADS-B in/out equipment in the Surveillance section, and not portables. While there are equipment codes for ADS-B in capabilities, portable receivers like Sentry and Garmin GDL-50 should not be included here.

Sample aircraft:

Putting this all together, here are some example configurations and respective equipment codes:

Cessna 172 Dual Nav/Com, Bendix/King Mode S transponder, SkyBeacon ADS-B Out

ICAO Equipment: “S” (standard VOR, VHF, ILS)

ICAO Surveillance: “S” (Mode S Transponder), “U1” (ADS-B, UAT/978 Out)

ICAO PBN: leave this blank, since you’re not RNAV/GPS equipped

Cirrus SR22 Dual Garmin GTN650 Nav/Comm/GPS, Garmin GTX345 Transponder

ICAO Equipment: “S” (standard VOR, VHF, ILS), “Y” (VHF 8.33 kHz spacing), “G” (GNSS), “B” (LPV), “R” (PBN approved)

ICAO Surveillance: “E” (Mode S, ID, Altitude, Extended Squitter), “B2” (ADS-B 1090 MHz Extended Squitter, in and out)

ICAO PBN: A1, B2, C2, D2, L1, O2, S1, S2 (RNAV 10/5/2/1, RNP 4/1/Appch)

Bonanza A36 Garmin G500 TXi, Garmin GTN750 Nav/Comm/GPS, Apprareo Stratus ESG transponder

ICAO Equipment: “S” (standard VOR, VHF, ILS), “Y” (VHF 8.33 kHz spacing), “G” (GNSS), “B” (LPV), “R” (PBN approved)

ICAO Surveillance: ICAO Surveillance: “L” (Mode S Transponder, Enhanced Surveillance, Extended Squitter), “B1” (ADS-B with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B “out” capability)

ICAO PBN: A1, B2, C2, D2, L1, O2, S1, S2 (RNAV 10/5/2/1, RNP 4/1/Appch)

Filing an ICAO Flight Plan

So here’s the good news–all the hard work is now behind you. Once your aircraft profile is set up in the app, filing the actual ICAO flight plan before a flight requires just a few taps. In ForeFlight, go to the Flights tab, enter your flight plan data, tap the File button at the bottom of the screen, and verify that ICAO is listed as the flight plan type at the top. You’ll want to update the emergency equipment as required, and tap file.

The flight planning process from Garmin is accomplished in the Trip Planning section of the app, and you’ll use the File button at the top right of the screen after all the flight details are entered.

More Information

Here are few videos from ForeFlight and Garmin with additional instructions on filing with the ICAO flight plan form:

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Welcome to IFR Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, Master the System

How to set up aircraft equipment codes in aviation apps to file IFR flight plans

Welcome to IFR Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, Master the System

How to set up aircraft equipment codes in aviation apps to file IFR flight plans

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Welcome to IFR Focus: Sharpen Your Skills, Master the System

Instrument flying is demanding. It’s also deeply rewarding—when you’re prepared.

How to set up aircraft equipment codes in aviation apps to file IFR flight plans

Setting up your airplane profile

ICAO Flight Plan Tips

Sample aircraft:

Filing an ICAO Flight Plan

More Information

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