Finding the correct IFR route.

Sisson2011

Sisson2011

Well-Known Member
What is the best way to decide what route ATC wants you to use? I'm talking mainly about the Part 91 world where the routes can come out of both non busy and busy airports. It seems sometimes that no matter how hard I research the route it will be changed. So what's the best idea concerning this?

Also, I have heard the latest thing is to just file direct and they will give you what they want. Does that go over well with ATC, or are the controllers up there cussing that pilot? If it seem fairly okay with controllers I'd rather just file direct and be ready to copy down whatever route they need me on.
 
Filing direct isn't a bad option. I actually learned that from a weather briefer (before they were Lockheed).

Otherwise, flightpln.com has a good service that shows the most common routes between airports.

Regardless, I wouldn't invest yourself too deeply in one particular route because odds are routing will change.
 
If you are dealing with a busy facility such as mine filing direct is often taken as laziness by the pilot. This often results in delays when you go to pick up the clearance because the controllers will not feel correcting the route is a priority when there are other tasks because the pilot obviously didn't think it was a priority.

My suggestion is use a site like the previous poster suggested and copy a route that was used by someone else from your departure point to destination (if none can be found use nearby airports). As alternative try and build a route you think will work, at least then you made an attempt instead of filing for example RMN direct BED, knowing full well you can't fly that way due to restricted areas/ class B airports etc.
 
Well, there is the "textbook answer," use the preferred IFR route from the AF/D.

Then there is the real world. Take a look on flightaware.com and see what everyone else got for that airport pair, for similar aircraft.

If it is something you do frequently, call the ARTCC and ask.
 
It also depends on the type aircraft you are flying. Turbojets/turboprops usually have specific routings into major terminal areas, for both the primary airport(s) and the satellites. Piston aircraft are usually OK filing direct to these airports.

As mentioned previously, please check the status of special use airspace. Most of the reroutes/vectors given to light aircraft are because they chose a route through a restricted area that is active up to 10,000' every day of the year save major holidays.
 
+1 to Fltplan.com

I use it everytime I file, and it generally gives you really good routes. There are exeptions, but its a dang good tool.
 
Crockrocket94 said:
+1 to Fltplan.com

I use it everytime I file, and it generally gives you really good routes. There are exeptions, but its a dang good tool.
Click to expand...

I use fltplan.com as well. There are great features such as, "previously issued my ATC."
 
fltplan.com is good, but check out flightaware.com. Flightaware will show you the routing actual aircraft received along your intended route of flight.
 
I use this website

If you aren't departing or going to a "larger" airport I just put in a nearby large airport and pick up the route down the line that lines up with where I am coming from or going to. ie, coming for KRST to KTEB I use KMSP as a departure airport.
 
x2 for www.fltplan.com

It has good numbers for fuel burn as well. Fltplan is almost always spot on what we calculate and what we actually burn in flight. Great website, especially for Part 91/135 ops.
 
I use ForeFlight on my iPhone to find what routes have been cleared between airports. The pics below show different routes and altitudes between ADS and HOU that ATC has recently cleared. Most of the time these work fine but sometimes I have to make a change to it.

photo.PNG

photo%282%29.PNG
 
Dugie8 said:
I use this website

If you aren't departing or going to a "larger" airport I just put in a nearby large airport and pick up the route down the line that lines up with where I am coming from or going to. ie, coming for KRST to KTEB I use KMSP as a departure airport.
Click to expand...

I have never been able to get that site to work.
 
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