### Comprehensive Guide to the ICAO
CRONOS Flight Plan ___by Achila Benard
The ICAO CRONOS flight plan is a standardized format used for filing
flight plans with Air Traffic Control (ATC) globally. It follows the ICAO
Doc 4444 (Procedures for Air Navigation Services – Air Traffic
Management, PANS-ATM) and ensures uniformity in communication
between pilots and ATC.
---
## 🔹 Components of an ICAO CRONOS Flight Plan
### 1. Header Information
- Filing Authority (e.g., EUROCONTROL, FAA, NAV CANADA)
- Message Type (e.g., FPL for Filed Flight Plan, DLA for Delay, CNL for
Cancellation)
- Aircraft Identification (Callsign, e.g., “DLH123”)
### 2. Flight Rules & Type of Flight
- Flight Rules (Item 8):
- I (IFR – Instrument Flight Rules)
- V (VFR – Visual Flight Rules)
- Y (IFR first, then VFR)
- Z (VFR first, then IFR)
- Type of Flight (Item 8a):
- S (Scheduled Air Service)
- N (Non-Scheduled Air Transport)
- G (General Aviation)
- M (Military)
### 3. Aircraft Identification & Type (Item 7 & 9)
- Aircraft Registration (Item 7) (e.g., D-ABCD)
- Aircraft Type (Item 9) (e.g., B738 for Boeing 737-800)
- Wake Turbulence Category (Item 9a):
- H (Heavy)
- M (Medium)
- L (Light)
### 4. Equipment & Capabilities (Item 10 & 18)
- Navigation/Communication Equipment (Item 10):
- S (Standard COM/NAV)
- G (GNSS)
- R (PBN Approved)
- J (Data Link)
- Surveillance Equipment (Item 10b):
- A (Mode A Transponder)
- C (Mode C)
- S (Mode S)
- PBN Capabilities (Item 18 - NAV/):
- RNAV1, RNAV5, RNP1, RNP APCH
### 5. Departure & Destination (Item 13 & 16)
- Departure Aerodrome (Item 13) (ICAO code, e.g., EDDF for
Frankfurt)
- Estimated Off-Block Time (EOBT)
- Destination Aerodrome (Item 16) (e.g., KJFK for New York JFK)
- Total Estimated Elapsed Time (EET)
### 6. Route (Item 15)
- Route Description (SIDs, Airways, Waypoints, STARs)
- Example: `DCT LNO DCT UL9 KOK DCT`
- Cruising Speed & Altitude (Item 15a & 15b):
- Speed: N0480 (480 knots)
- Altitude: F350 (35,000 ft)
### 7. Alternate Aerodromes (Item 16 & 18)
- 1st Alternate (Item 16a) (e.g., KBOS for Boston)
- 2nd Alternate (Item 18 - ALTN/) (if required)
### 8. Supplementary Information (Item 18 - Remarks)
- EET/ (Estimated Enroute Time for FIR boundaries)
- RMK/ (Pilot remarks, e.g., medical emergency, VIP onboard)
---
## 📋 Sample ICAO CRONOS Flight Plan
### Flight Details:
- Operator: Lufthansa (DLH)
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800 (B738)
- Route: Frankfurt (EDDF) → New York JFK (KJFK)
### CRONOS Flight Plan Format:
```
(FPL-DLH123-IS
-B738/M-SDE2E3FGHIJ3J5J7M1RWXYZ/LB1
-EDDF0740
-N0480F350 UL9 KOK DCT 52N050W 53N040W 54N030W DCT KJFK
-KBOS 0345
-PBN/A1B1C1D1L1O1S1 NAV/RNVD1E2A1 DOF/240625 REG/DABCD
EET/EDUU0034 SEL/ABCD RVR/200 RMK/TCAS EQUIPPED)
```
### Breakdown of the Sample Flight Plan:
1. FPL-DLH123-IS → Filed Flight Plan (FPL) for Lufthansa flight 123
(IFR, Scheduled)
2. B738/M-SDE2E3FGHIJ3J5J7M1RWXYZ/LB1 → Aircraft type (B738,
Medium wake turbulence), equipment (GNSS, RVSM, PBN, etc.)
3. EDDF0740 → Departure from Frankfurt at 07:40 UTC
4. N0480F350 UL9 KOK DCT 52N050W 53N040W 54N030W DCT KJFK
→ Cruising speed 480kt at FL350, route via UL9 airway, waypoints
5. KBOS 0345 → Alternate airport (Boston) with 3h45m endurance
6. PBN/... → Performance-Based Navigation capabilities
7. DOF/240625 → Date of flight (25 June 2024)
8. RMK/TCAS EQUIPPED → Additional remarks
---
### 📌 Key Takeaways:
✅ ICAO CRONOS flight plans ensure global standardization.
✅ Each field (Items 7-18) has a specific purpose (e.g., aircraft type,
route, equipment).
✅ Supplementary data (Item 18) includes PBN, alternate airports, and
remarks.
This format is used by airlines, private jets, and ATC worldwide for
safe and efficient flight planning. Would you like a real-world
example from a specific airline? 🚀
### Flight Speed Input in Flight Plans (CRONOS/KCAA Format)
# Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Flight Plan in CRONOS
(With Common Beginner Challenges & Solutions)
CRONOS (Computerized Resource-Oriented Navigation and
Operations System) is a flight planning tool used by pilots,
dispatchers, and ATC. Below is a walkthrough of filing an ICAO flight
plan, along with common beginner mistakes and fixes.
---
## 📌 Step 1: Accessing CRONOS
### Where to File?
- Eurocontrol’s NOP Portal (for Europe)
- FAA’s Flight Service (1800WXBrief) (for the U.S.)
- National AIP Websites (e.g., Canada’s NAV CANADA, Australia’s
Airservices)
✅ Solution for Beginners:
- If unsure, check your country’s Aeronautical Information
Publication (AIP) for the correct portal.
---
## 📌 Step 2: Logging In & Selecting Flight Plan Type
1. Log in with your aviation credentials (e.g., pilot license, operator
code).
2. Select ”File New Flight Plan” (often under “Flight Planning” tab).
3. Choose ICAO Format (not FAA or military).
⚠ Common Mistake: Selecting the wrong flight rules (IFR vs. VFR).
✅ Fix: Double-check Item 8 (Flight Rules) before submission.
---
## 📌 Step 3: Entering Aircraft & Flight Details
### Key Fields:
| Field | Example | Notes |
|--------|------------|----------------|
| Aircraft ID | DLH123 | Callsign (e.g., Lufthansa 123) |
| Aircraft Type | B738 | ICAO designator (B738 = Boeing 737-800) |
| Wake Turbulence | M | Medium (H for Heavy, L for Light) |
| Equipment | SDE2E3FGHIJ | Navigation capabilities (check aircraft
manual) |
⚠ Common Mistake: Incorrect equipment codes (e.g., missing PBN/
in Item 18).
✅ Fix: Use ICAO Doc 4444 Appendix 5 for correct codes.
---
## 📌 Step 4: Route Planning
### Route Structure (Item 15)
- Example: `DCT LNO UL9 KOK DCT 52N050W DCT KJFK`
- DCT = Direct
- UL9 = Upper Airway
- KOK = Waypoint
⚠ Common Mistakes:
1. Missing SID/STAR → ATC may reject the plan.
2. Incorrect waypoints → Leads to reroutes.
✅ Solutions:
- Use Jeppesen Charts or SkyVector for route validation.
- Cross-check with AIP Enroute Charts.
---
## 📌 Step 5: Alternate Airports & Endurance (Item 16 & 18)
- Alternate (Item 16a): `KBOS` (Boston Logan)
- Endurance (Item 18): `EET/0345` (3h45m fuel reserve)
⚠ Common Mistake: Omitting alternates in bad weather.
✅ Fix: Always file at least one alternate if weather is below minima.
---
## 📌 Step 6: Supplementary Data (Item 18 - Remarks)
- PBN Capabilities: `PBN/A1B1D1L1`
- Registration: `REG/DABCD`
- Other Remarks: `RMK/TCAS EQUIPPED`
⚠ Common Mistake: Forgetting DOF/ (Date of Flight).
✅ Fix: Always include DOF/YYMMDD (e.g., `DOF/240625` for June 25,
2024).
---
## 📌 Step 7: Validation & Submission
1. Click “Validate” (checks for errors).
2. Submit and note the ATC approval code.
3. Print/Save confirmation.
⚠ Common Mistake: Not checking for ”ACK” (Acknowledgement)
from ATC.
✅ Fix: If no response within 5-10 mins, call ATC via radio/phone.
---
## 🚨 Common CRONOS Errors & Fixes
| Error | Likely Cause | Solution |
|-----------|----------------|-------------|
| ”Invalid Aircraft Type” | Wrong ICAO code (e.g., B737 instead of
B738) | Check ICAO Aircraft Type Database |
| ”Route Not Found” | Misspelled waypoint (e.g., “KKJ” instead of
“KOK”) | Verify on SkyVector or AIP |
| ”Missing PBN/” | PBN not specified in Item 18 | Add PBN/... per
ICAO Doc 9613 |
| ”No ATC Response” | Network delay or incorrect FIR | Call ATC via
phone for manual filing |
---
## 📋 Final Tips for Beginners
✔ Always cross-check with ICAO Doc 4444.
✔ Use pre-filled templates for frequent routes.
✔ Test in a sandbox (some portals offer demo mode).
✔ If rejected, check error logs and resubmit.
---
### 📜 Sample CRONOS Flight Plan (Successfully Filed)
```
(FPL-DLH123-IS
-B738/M-SDE2E3FGHIJ3J5J7M1RWXYZ/LB1
-EDDF0740
-N0480F350 UL9 KOK DCT 52N050W 53N040W 54N030W DCT KJFK
-KBOS 0345
-PBN/A1B1C1D1L1O1S1 NAV/RNVD1E2A1 DOF/240625 REG/DABCD
EET/EDUU0034 SEL/ABCD RVR/200 RMK/TCAS EQUIPPED)
```
Understanding Flight Speed.
Flight speed is a critical component of a flight plan and must be accurately reported to Air Traffic
Control (ATC). In CRONOS, speed is entered in a standardized ICAO format, which varies depending
on the type of flight (IFR/VFR) and the aircraft’s capabilities.
## 1. Types of Speed Entries
### A. True Airspeed (TAS) in Knots (N)
Used for propeller aircraft and some turboprops.
- Format: `Nxxxx` (e.g., `N0120` = 120 knots)
- Example:
- Cessna 172 cruising at 120 knots → `N0120`
### B. Mach Number (M)
Used for jet aircraft at high altitudes.
- Format: `Mxxx` (e.g., `M078` = Mach 0.78)
- Example:
- Boeing 737 cruising at Mach 0.78 → `M078`
### C. Kilometers per Hour (K)
Rarely used in ICAO flight plans but accepted in some regions.
- Format: `Kxxxx` (e.g., `K0800` = 800 km/h)
---
## 2. How Speed is Entered in CRONOS
In the flight plan form, speed is combined with the requested flight level in the following format:
### Format:
`(Speed Type)(4-digit speed)(Flight Level)`
### Examples:
| Aircraft Type | Speed | Flight Level | CRONOS Entry |
|------------------|----------|----------------|------------------|
| Cessna 172 (VFR) | 120 knots | 6,500 ft | `N0120F065` |
| Boeing 737 (IFR) | Mach 0.78 | 35,000 ft | `M078F350` |
| Airbus A320 (IFR) | 450 knots | 36,000 ft | `N0450F360` |
---
## 3. Key Components Explained
| Component | Meaning | Example |
|--------------|------------|------------|
| Speed Type | `N` (knots), `M` (Mach), `K` (km/h) | `N`, `M`, `K` |
| 4-Digit Speed | Padded with leading zeros if needed | `0450` = 450 knots |
| Flight Level (F) | Altitude in hundreds of feet | `F350` = 35,000 ft |
---
## 4. Special Cases
### A. VFR Flights (No Flight Level)
- If flying VFR below controlled airspace, the flight level may be omitted.
- Example: `N0120` (120 knots, no assigned altitude).
### B. Supersonic Flights (Rare in Civil Aviation)
- Mach > 1.0 (e.g., `M150` = Mach 1.5).
### C. Helicopters
- Often use knots (N) at lower altitudes (e.g., `N0120F050` = 120 knots at 5,000 ft).
## 5. Common Errors to Avoid
❌ Incorrect padding (e.g., `N450` instead of `N0450`).
❌ Mixing units (e.g., `M450` – Mach 450 is invalid).
❌ Missing flight level (required for IFR flights).
### Summary Table: Speed Entry Examples
| Scenario | Correct Input | Incorrect Input |
|-------------|------------------|-------------------|
| Jet at Mach 0.82, FL330 | `M082F330` | `M82F330` (missing zero) |
| Turboprop at 300 knots, FL200 | `N0300F200` | `N300F200` (missing zero) |
| VFR at 110 knots (no FL) | `N0110` | `N110` (missing zero) |
---
### Final Notes
- CRONOS/KCAA follows ICAO Doc 4444 standards.
- Pilots must ensure speed matches ATC expectations (e.g., jets use Mach at high altitudes).
- If unsure, consult the Kenya AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication).
Here’s a list of 100+ ICAO airport codes (4-letter format) along with their corresponding airports and
locations:
---
### 🌍 Africa
1. FAOR – O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg, South Africa)
2. FACT – Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town, South Africa)
3. FALE – King Shaka International Airport (Durban, South Africa)
4. HECA – Cairo International Airport (Cairo, Egypt)
5. HEGN – Hurghada International Airport (Hurghada, Egypt)
6. HKJK – Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya)
7. HKMO – Moi International Airport (Mombasa, Kenya)
8. HAAB – Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
9. DNMM – Murtala Muhammed International Airport (Lagos, Nigeria)
10. DNAA – Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (Abuja, Nigeria)
11. DTTA – Tunis-Carthage International Airport (Tunis, Tunisia)
12. GMMN – Mohammed V International Airport (Casablanca, Morocco)
13. GMMX – Marrakesh Menara Airport (Marrakesh, Morocco)
14. FNLU – Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (Luanda, Angola)
15. FMEE – Roland Garros Airport (Réunion, France)
---
### 🌏 Asia
16. ZBAA – Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing, China)
17. ZSPD – Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai, China)
18. ZGGG – Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (Guangzhou, China)
19. VHHH – Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)
20. RCTP – Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (Taipei, Taiwan)
21. RJAA – Narita International Airport (Tokyo, Japan)
22. RJTT – Tokyo Haneda Airport (Tokyo, Japan)
23. RJBB – Kansai International Airport (Osaka, Japan)
24. RKSI – Incheon International Airport (Seoul, South Korea)
25. RKSS – Gimpo International Airport (Seoul, South Korea)
26. WSSS – Singapore Changi Airport (Singapore)
27. VTBS – Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
28. VTBD – Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
29. WMKK – Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
30. VIDP – Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi, India)
31. VABB – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai, India)
32. VOMM – Chennai International Airport (Chennai, India)
33. OMDB – Dubai International Airport (Dubai, UAE)
34. OMAA – Abu Dhabi International Airport (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
35. OTHH – Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar)
36. OERK – King Khalid International Airport (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
37. OEJN – King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
38. LLBG – Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv, Israel)
39. OLBA – Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport (Beirut, Lebanon)
40. WIII – Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (Jakarta, Indonesia)
41. WADD – Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar, Indonesia)
42. RPLL – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila, Philippines)
43. RPVM – Mactan-Cebu International Airport (Cebu, Philippines)
---
### 🌏 Oceania
44. YSSY – Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (Sydney, Australia)
45. YMML – Melbourne Airport (Melbourne, Australia)
46. YBBN – Brisbane Airport (Brisbane, Australia)
47. YPPH – Perth Airport (Perth, Australia)
48. YPAD – Adelaide Airport (Adelaide, Australia)
49. NZAA – Auckland Airport (Auckland, New Zealand)
50. NZCH – Christchurch International Airport (Christchurch, New Zealand)
51. NZWN – Wellington International Airport (Wellington, New Zealand)
52. NFFN – Nadi International Airport (Nadi, Fiji)
53. NTAA – Faa’a International Airport (Papeete, French Polynesia)
---
### 🌍 Europe
54. EGLL – London Heathrow Airport (London, UK)
55. EGKK – London Gatwick Airport (London, UK)
56. EGCC – Manchester Airport (Manchester, UK)
57. LFPG – Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris, France)
58. LFPO – Paris Orly Airport (Paris, France)
59. EDDF – Frankfurt Airport (Frankfurt, Germany)
60. EDDM – Munich Airport (Munich, Germany)
61. EHAM – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
62. LEMD – Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (Madrid, Spain)
63. LEBL – Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Barcelona, Spain)
64. LIRF – Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (Rome, Italy)
65. LIML – Milan Linate Airport (Milan, Italy)
66. LTFM – Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkey)
67. LTFJ – Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul, Turkey)
68. EIDW – Dublin Airport (Dublin, Ireland)
69. LSZH – Zurich Airport (Zurich, Switzerland)
70. LSGG – Geneva Airport (Geneva, Switzerland)
71. EKCH – Copenhagen Airport (Copenhagen, Denmark)
72. ESSA – Stockholm Arlanda Airport (Stockholm, Sweden)
---
### 🌎 North America
73. KATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta, USA)
74. KLAX – Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles, USA)
75. KORD – O’Hare International Airport (Chicago, USA)
76. KDFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Dallas, USA)
77. KDEN – Denver International Airport (Denver, USA)
78. KJFK – John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York, USA)
79. KSFO – San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco, USA)
80. KSEA – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Seattle, USA)
81. KMIA – Miami International Airport (Miami, USA)
82. KLAS – Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas, USA)
83. KMCO – Orlando International Airport (Orlando, USA)
84. KCLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte, USA)
85. KPHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Phoenix, USA)
86. KIAH – George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston, USA)
87. CYYZ – Toronto Pearson International Airport (Toronto, Canada)
88. CYVR – Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver, Canada)
89. CYUL – Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (Montreal, Canada)
90. MMMX – Mexico City International Airport (Mexico City, Mexico)
91. MMUN – Cancún International Airport (Cancún, Mexico)
92. MMSD – Los Cabos International Airport (San José del Cabo, Mexico)
93. MYNN – Lynden Pindling International Airport (Nassau, Bahamas)
94. MDPC – Punta Cana International Airport (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
95. TJSJ – Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
---
### 🌎 South America
96. SBGR – São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (São Paulo, Brazil)
97. SBGL – Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
98. SBBR – Brasília International Airport (Brasília, Brazil)
99. SAEZ – Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
100. SCEL – Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Santiago, Chile)
101. SPIM – Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lima, Peru)
102. SKBO – El Dorado International Airport (Bogotá, Colombia)
103. SEQM – Mariscal Sucre International Airport (Quito, Ecuador)
104. SVMI – Simón Bolívar International Airport (Caracas, Venezuela)
105. MPTO – Tocumen International Airport (Panama City, Panama)
106. SGAS – Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (Asunción, Paraguay)
---