The information covered here is for Canberra City Flights as described in the ERSA. Because these flights are cleared above 3500ft they get handed over to approach who will not accept a flight if no plan is in the system.  This means that when we ask for a city flight the controllers have to enter a plan in for us.  Doing this beforehand means their duties are eased a little and we will probably have fewer and shorter delays getting out.  This is especially relevant during periods of high workload in the early mornings and late afternoons.

While they understand that sometimes we do these flights on a spur of the moment basis and therefore won’t lodge a flight plan they have asked that if you can give advance notice by lodging a plan then do so.