FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsEasy
A pilot preparing to file an IFR flight plan between two busy terminal areas wants to select a route that ATC is most likely to approve without amendment, reducing the chance of reroutes or delays. Which publication should the pilot consult first?
- AThe en route low-altitude chart legend
- BThe Preferred IFR Routes listed in the Chart Supplement
- CThe Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) chart only
- DThe Airport/Facility remarks section of the sectional chart
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The Preferred IFR Routes listed in the Chart Supplement
Preferred IFR Routes are published in the Chart Supplement to help pilots select routings between busier terminals that are already coordinated with ATC facilities, reducing the likelihood of route amendments after departure.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — the chart legend explains symbology, not preferred routings.
- C. Incorrect — STARs only cover the arrival portion, not the full en route routing.
- D. Incorrect — sectional charts are VFR products and do not list IFR route information.
Preferred IFR Routes
Routes published in the Chart Supplement between busier terminals to help pilots and ATC minimize route changes and delays during IFR operations.
- Found in the Chart Supplement, not on en route charts
- Designed to reduce ATC amendments after filing
- Not mandatory but strongly recommended for busy city pairs
Memory trick: Pilots Prefer Pre-Coordinated Paths