Reporting Procedures

• CFRs require pilots to maintain a listening watch on the appropriate frequency and to furnish position reports passing certain reporting points
• Reporting points are shown on enroute charts
  • Compulsory reporting points are a solid triangle [ Figure 1 ]
  • Non-compulsory reporting points are open triangles which are only required when requested by ATC [ Figure 2 ]
    • A list of reporting points can be found within Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.9) Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
  • Reports passing an "on request" reporting point are only necessary when requested by ATC

• Position Report Items:

  • Identification
  • Position
  • Time
  • Altitude or flight level (include actual altitude or flight level when operating on a clearance specifying VFR-on-top)
  • Type of flight plan (not required in IFR position reports made directly to ARTCCs or approach control)
  • ETA and name of next reporting point
  • The name only of the next succeeding reporting point along the route of flight
  • Pertinent remarks

Reporting Requirements:

Flights Along Airways or Routes:

• Required by all flights, regardless of altitude, including those operating in accordance with an ATC clearance specifying "VFR-ON-TOP," over each designated compulsory reporting point along the route being flown

Flights Along a Direct Route:

• Regardless of the altitude or flight level being flown, including flights operating in accordance with an ATC clearance specifying "VFR-on-top," pilots must report over each reporting point used in the flight plan to define the route of flight
• This scenario can be especially applicable during an ATC-Alert, ATC-Limited, or ATC-Zero situation

Flights in a Radar Environment:

• When informed by ATC that their aircraft are in "radar contact," pilots should discontinue position reports over designated (explicitly requested) reporting points
• They should resume normal positioning reporting when ATC advises " radar contact lost " or " radar service terminated "
• Controllers attempting to radar contact an aircraft will assign a specific squawk or ask for an IDENT

Flights in an Oceanic (Non-radar) Environment:

• Pilots must report over each point used in the flight plan to define the route of flight, even if the point is depicted on aeronautical charts as an "on request" (non-compulsory) reporting point
• For aircraft providing automatic position reporting via an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) logon, pilots should discontinue voice position reports
• ATC will inform pilots that they are in " radar contact :"
  • When their aircraft is initially identified in the ATC system; and
  • When radar identification is reestablished after radar service has been terminated or radar contact lost:
    • Subsequent to being advised that the controller has established radar contact, this fact will not be repeated to the pilot when handed off to another controller. At times, the aircraft identity will be confirmed by the receiving controller; however, this should not be construed to mean that radar contact has been lost. The identity of transponder equipped aircraft will be confirmed by asking the pilot to "ident," "squawk standby," or to change codes. Aircraft without transponders will be advised of their position to confirm identity. In this case, the pilot is expected to advise the controller if in disagreement with the position given. Any pilot who cannot confirm the accuracy of the position given because of not being tuned to the NAVAID referenced by the controller, should ask for another radar position relative to the tuned in NAVAID

    Required Reports:

    The following reports are to be made to ATC or FSS facilities without a specific ATC request, remembered with the acronym "MARVELOUS VFR C500:"

    At all times:

    • Missed Approach: when executing a missed approach (request clearance for specific action; i.e., to alternate airport, another approach, etc.)
    • Airspeed: any change in the average true airspeed (at cruising altitude) when it varies by 5% or 10 knots (whichever is greater) from that filed in the flight plan
    • When vacating any previously assigned altitude or flight level for a newly assigned altitude or flight level
    • When an altitude change will be made if operating on a clearance specifying VFR-on-top
    • When unable to climb/descend at a rate of at least 500 FPM
    • *The time and altitude of flight level upon reaching a holding fix or point to which cleared
    • *When leaving any assigned holding fix or point
      • * denotes an exception for pilots of aircraft involved in instrument training at military terminal area facilities when radar service is being provided
      • Reports should include aircraft identification, equipment affected, degree to which the capability to operate under IFR in the ATC system is impaired, and the nature and extent of assistance desired from ATC
      • Other equipment installed in an aircraft may effectively impair safety and/or the ability to operate under IFR
        • If such equipment (e.g., airborne weather radar) malfunctions and in the pilot's judgment either safety or IFR capabilities are affected, reports should be made as above
        • Be specific when describing the location and include duration of the anomaly if necessary

        When not in radar contact:

        • When leaving final approach fix inbound on final approach (nonprecision approach) or when leaving the outer marker or fix used in lieu of the outer marker inbound on final approach (precision approach)
        • A corrected estimate at anytime it becomes apparent that an estimate as previously submitted is in error in excess of 2 minutes
          • For flights in the North Atlantic (NAT), a revised estimate is required if the error is 3 minutes or more

          Inflight Monitoring and Reporting:

          • Pilots are encouraged to monitor 121.5 MHz and/or 243.0 MHz while inflight to assist in identifying possible emergency ELT transmissions. On receiving a signal, report the following information to the nearest air traffic facility:
            • Your position at the time the signal was first heard
            • Your position at the time the signal was last heard
            • Your position at maximum signal strength
            • Your flight altitudes and frequency on which the emergency signal was heard: 121.5 MHz or 243.0 MHz. If possible, positions should be given relative to a navigation aid. If the aircraft has homing equipment, provide the bearing to the emergency signal with each reported position

            Air Traffic Control Reporting Requirements:

            • Internal to Air Traffic Control procedures are Mandatory Occurrence Reports, or MORs
              • The process in most cases is transparent to pilots

              Conclusion:

              • In addition to reporting related to flight operations, pilots must be aware that any significant incident on your record may impact your eligibility to execute your priviliges, for example, a DUI/DWI charge
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              References:

              • AOPA - Training Tip: In Guard We Trust
              • Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
              • Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-2) Position Reporting
              • Aeronautical Information Manual (5-3-3) Additional Reports
              • AOPA - For The Record: Abnormal Findings
              • CFI Notebook.net - Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)
              • CFI Notebook.net - IFR Flight Plan
              • CFI Notebook.net - Pilot Reports
              • CFI Notebook.net - Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)Federal Aviation Administration Order (7400.9) Airspace Designations and Reporting Points
              • Federal Aviation Regulations (71.5) Reporting Points
              • Federal Aviation Regulations (Part 71 subpart H) Reporting Points
              • Federal Aviation Regulations (91.183) IFR Communications
              • Federal Aviation Regulations (91.187) Operation under IFR in controlled airspace: Malfunction reports