This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
OFP
Operational Flight Plan
An Operational Flight Plan is the comprehensive document prepared by dispatch and the flight crew before each flight, containing everything required to operate the route safely and legally. A standard OFP includes the planned route with waypoints and airways, cost-index and cruise altitude, fuel calculations (trip fuel, contingency, alternate, final reserve, and extra fuel), weather summaries and significant forecasts, applicable NOTAMs, and aircraft performance data. Airlines use computerized flight planning systems to generate OFPs, optimizing for fuel efficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
The OFP is a legal document and forms the basis for the captain’s fuel order and the ATC flight plan filed with authorities. Dispatchers are joint legal authorities with the captain in most regulatory frameworks, meaning both must agree the flight is safe before departure. During flight, crews refer to the OFP to track fuel burn against plan, identify alternate airports, and confirm step-climb points. Any significant fuel deviation from the planned figures must be assessed and, where required, declared to ATC.