Intermediate stops on a flight plan
Intermediate stop: en route stopover filed within ONE flight plan or flight itinerary, not a separate plan per leg. Allowed by type (TC AIM RAC 3.9):
| Rules | Document | Intermediate stops allowed? | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFR | Flight plan | No | not permitted at all |
| IFR | Flight itinerary | Yes | stop must be in uncontrolled airspace |
| VFR | Flight plan | Yes | stop must be short duration (boarding, refuelling) |
| VFR | Flight itinerary | Yes | no extra condition |
- Route section format: stopping point, duration (HHMM), stopping point again, e.g.
CYXU 0045 CYXU= 45-minute stop at CYXU (RAC 3.9(c)). - EET: with stops planned, total time to final destination including stop durations, not just flying time (RAC 3.9).
- SAR: action keyed to ETA at final destination, so a missed intermediate stop alone doesn't trigger it. For SAR coverage on every leg, file a separate flight plan or itinerary for each stop (RAC 3.9).
- Minimum info per stage: flight planning unit needs at least departure point, altitude, route, destination for each stage (RAC 3.11(c)).
Trap: IFR flight plan never allows stops; IFR stops only via flight itinerary.
References
- TC AIM RAC 3.9