How to Plan a Flight from Start to Finish

Flight planning is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as a student pilot. While it may seem complicated at first, it becomes easier and even enjoyable with practice. Planning your flight thoroughly ensures a safe, smooth journey from takeoff to landing, whether you’re headed to a nearby airport or flying cross-country. This guide walks you through every step of the flight planning process, from checking the weather to filing a flight plan.

1. Start With the Basics: Where Are You Going and Why?

Before diving into charts and weather reports, define the purpose of your flight:

• Is it a local training flight or a cross-country trip?
• Will you be flying solo or with an instructor?
• Are you completing a required flight for your certificate or just building hours?

This helps determine how much preparation is needed and what regulations apply (e.g., solo cross-country endorsements for student pilots).

2. Check for Aircraft Availability and Maintenance

If you’re renting an aircraft or flying from a flight school, check the scheduling system to reserve your aircraft. Make sure:

• The aircraft is available during your intended time.
• There are no maintenance issues or squawks logged.
• You have enough flight time remaining in the plane before the next scheduled maintenance.

Always double-check the aircraft’s maintenance status before committing to a flight.

3. Review Weather Conditions

Next, check the weather along your route. As a student pilot, you’re likely limited to VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions, so good weather is essential.

Key weather sources include:

• Aviation Weather Center (aviationweather.gov)
• ForeFlight (if available)
• Flight Service Station (1-800-WX-BRIEF)

Look at:

• METARs and TAFs for your departure and destination airports.
• Area Forecasts (FA) for broader weather patterns.
• Winds aloft to calculate groundspeed.
• NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) for any airspace restrictions or airport closures.

Pro Tip: If the weather is marginal, don’t try to “squeeze in a flight.” Always have a backup plan or delay the flight.

4. Choose Your Route

Now it’s time to pick your route. If you’re flying cross-country, you’ll want to:

• Use VFR sectional charts or a digital app like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot.
• Identify visual checkpoints every 10–15 nautical miles.
• Choose diversion airports along your route in case of emergencies or weather changes.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Fly over towns, highways, or railroads when possible for easier navigation.
• Avoid restricted or controlled airspace unless you’re qualified and cleared.
• Select a cruising altitude appropriate to the direction of flight:
• Eastbound (0°–179°): odd thousands +500 ft (e.g., 3,500 ft)
• Westbound (180°–359°): even thousands +500 ft (e.g., 4,500 ft)

5. Calculate Distances, Headings, and Times

This is where your plotter and E6-B (or electronic flight computer) come in.

Steps:

• Measure the distance between each checkpoint on your chart.
• Determine the true course (angle between your route and true north).
• Adjust for magnetic variation to get magnetic heading.
• Apply wind correction angle to determine your heading and groundspeed.
• Use groundspeed to calculate time between checkpoints and total flight time.

Don’t forget to check fuel burn! Multiply fuel flow rate by flight time to get required fuel. Always include a minimum 30-minute reserve for day VFR (45 minutes for night).

6. Prepare Your Navigation Log (Nav Log)

A navigation log helps you stay organized in flight. You’ll typically include:

• Checkpoints (with estimated times)
• Distances
• Headings
• Groundspeed
• Estimated fuel burn
• Frequencies for ATIS, ground, tower, departure, etc.
• Notes on NOTAMs or airport remarks

Many student pilots use a pre-printed nav log or apps like ForeFlight to automate this step, but doing it by hand is a valuable learning experience.

7. File a VFR Flight Plan (If Required or Recommended)

Student pilots on solo cross-country flights must file a VFR flight plan with Flight Service (via 1800WXBRIEF or ForeFlight). Even if it’s not required, it’s a good habit for all pilots.

To file a VFR plan, you’ll need:

• Aircraft info (N-number, type)
• Departure and destination airports
• Route and estimated time en route
• Altitude and cruising speed
• Fuel on board and number of souls
• Contact info for the pilot or responsible person

Once airborne, open your flight plan with Flight Service. When you land, don’t forget to close it to avoid triggering a search-and-rescue operation.

8. Review Airport Information

For each airport on your route (departure, destination, alternates), look up:

• Runway headings and lengths
• Traffic pattern altitudes
• CTAF, AWOS/ASOS, and tower frequencies
• FBO services (fuel, tie-downs)
• Airport remarks (e.g., “birds in area,” lighting limitations)

Use resources like:

• Chart Supplement (A/FD)
• ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot
• SkyVector

Mark key frequencies and notes on your kneeboard or nav log.

9. Preflight the Airplane

On flight day, arrive early to:

• Do a thorough preflight inspection using the aircraft’s checklist.
• Check fuel levels and oil.
• Make sure all required documents are onboard:
• ARROW (Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license [if required], Operating limitations, Weight and Balance)

Also, ensure you have:

• A current pilot certificate and medical.
• A current logbook endorsement for solo cross-country (if applicable).
• A sectional chart, nav log, and flight computer or E6-B.

10. Get a Weather Briefing

Before you start up the engine, get a standard weather briefing from Flight Service. This includes:

• Adverse conditions (TFRs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs)
• Weather synopsis and forecast
• Winds aloft
• NOTAMs

Even if you’ve already checked the weather online, getting a full briefing ensures nothing is missed. You can call 1-800-WX-BRIEF or use an app like ForeFlight to get a briefing.

11. Use a Checklist for Everything

From engine start to shutdown, always follow a checklist. It ensures you don’t miss a step, especially when things get busy. This includes:

• Engine start
• Taxi
• Run-up
• Takeoff
• Cruise
• Descent
• Landing
• Shutdown

As a student pilot, using a checklist builds good habits and improves safety.

12. Stay Ahead of the Plane During Flight

Once airborne, your job is to fly the plan, but also adapt as needed. Stay ahead of the airplane by:

• Tracking your position on the chart or GPS.
• Noting each checkpoint and updating ETAs.
• Listening for ATC instructions and responding promptly.
• Monitoring fuel levels and engine instruments.
• Watching the weather.

If something doesn’t look or feel right, don’t hesitate to divert. That’s a skill, not a failure.

13. After Landing: Close Your Flight Plan and Debrief

Once you’re on the ground:

• Close your VFR flight plan if you filed one.
• Refuel the aircraft and tie it down if needed.
• Log your flight time in your logbook or app.
• Debrief with your instructor or reflect on what went well and what you could improve.

This is when the real learning happens.

Final Tips for Student Pilots

• Practice planning regularly, even for short local flights.
• Don’t rely solely on GPS. Know how to navigate with charts.
• Keep a backup plan for weather, fuel, or airspace issues.
• If unsure about any part of your plan, ask your instructor.

Flight planning might feel overwhelming at first, but it’s one of the best ways to become a confident and capable pilot. Every great flight starts on the ground with a solid plan.