Important changes at a glance
Numerous changes have been made in the new AIC to optimise flight planning and improve communication between pilots and the relevant authorities. The most important changes include
✅ Revised formulations for better comprehensibility
✅ Flight plan submissionIntroduction of new rules for AFIL flight plans abroad
✅ Collective flights: Clarifications on departure notification for group flights
✅ Alarm service and landing messagesAdjustments to the procedures for closing flight plans
✅ Deletion of obsolete terms and routes
These changes are intended to Increase efficiencyThe aim is to avoid delays and further increase the safety standards for Austrian airspace.
General rules for flight plan submission
1. obligation to confirm a flight plan before departure
If a flight plan is not available directly from the AIS/ARO Vienna was delivered, the Pilot in Command (PIC) must confirm that the flight plan is available with air traffic control before departure.
2. flight plans for consecutive VFR flights
For repeated VFR flights, for example for Parachute drop flights or aviation events, a Collective flight plan be submitted. This eliminates the obligation to submit individual departure and landing reports for each individual flight.
Attention:
For collective flight plans, no Flight alarm service is triggered if a landing message is not received, as the total flight duration is notionally specified.
Deadlines for flight plan submission
To ensure smooth coordination, the following must be Timetables on time before the planned departure. The new lead times are:
- Maximum 120 hours before the planned departure
- At least 3 hours before EOBT for flights with possible ATFM measure
- At least 30 minutes before EOBT for domestic flights under visual flight rules (VFR)
- At least 60 minutes before EOBT for all other flight plans
Rescue flights and other emergency missions are exempt from these time limits.
Optimised procedures for flight plan submission
1. delivery via AIS/ARO Vienna
Flight plans, which are sent by fax will only be processed after confirmation by telephone. Incomplete or incorrect flight plans are rejected.
Tip:
Pilots are advised to submit their flight plans via the online portal Homebriefing to submit. This enables faster processing and also offers the option of retrieving weather data and NOTAMs.
2. flight plan filing during the flight (AFIL)
Under special circumstances (e.g. unexpected weather changes), a flight plan can be changed during the flight via the frequency of the Flight Information Service (FIS) be delivered.
🚨 Important:
Timetables for flights abroad (Z-AFIL) will no longer be accepted. This also applies to continuing flight plans after a stopover.
Obligation to report take-off and landing
1. departure notification
The pilot must be responsible for all VFR flights with flight plan one Start registration unless the departure is from a controlled aerodrome.
Possible ways of transmission:
📞 By telephone: AIS/ARO Vienna (+43 5 1703 3211)
🌐 Online: Homebriefing
📡 Radio: Frequency of the flight information service (FIS)
2. landing notification & flight alarm service
If a Landing notification not transmittedis automatically 30 minutes after the planned landing a search and rescue operation was triggered.
❗ Exceptions:
- Landings on a controlled aerodrome (air traffic control takes over the message)
- Flights with restricted flight schedule
- Collective flights
👉 Tip for pilots:
If a landing notification is not possible, it can be shortly before landing by radio be transmitted.
Flight plan obligation for visual flights abroad
A flight plan is mandatory for cross-border VFR flights. Austro Control recommends always using the current aviation publications as these regulations may change at short notice.
Important points:
- Entry and exit from the control zone (CTR) must be made with the published reporting points.
- DCT (Direct Routing) is not permitted for border crossings.
Special regulations for IFR flights & training flights
1. changes for IFR flights
- The IFR training route "STO NERDU" has been removed.
- IFR flights must contain clearly structured flight routes, including the SID (Standard Instrument Departure) or STAR (Standard Arrival Route).
2. adjustments for formation flights
With Formation flights with a common flight plan, all participating aircraft must now be equipped with Licence plate and aircraft type be specified in the flight plan.
Attention:
Formation flights are only permitted under visual flight rules (VFR). In some neighbouring countries, joint flight plans for formations are not permitted.
Conclusion: More clarity, more efficiency, more security
The revised AIC A 4/25 brings many important Changes for general aviation in Austria. Particularly noteworthy are:
✈ Optimised flight schedule deadlines for better planning
✈ New rules for AFIL flight plans to avoid misunderstandings
✈ More precise specifications for collective flights and formation flights
✈ Stricter regulations for landing notificationsto prevent unnecessary rescue operations
Pilots should familiarise themselves with these innovations in order to improve their Plan flights more efficiently and avoid possible delays or penalties. The complete AIC is available on the Website of Austro Control available.
Source references:
AustroControl