How to Fill Out FAA Form 7233-4

FAA Form 7233-4 at a glance

What it is: FAA 7233-4 is the International Flight Plan of the Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Transportation.

Where and when to file: Annex 2 requires the submission of a flight plan containing items 1-19 prior to operating any flight across international waters.

FAR Part 91 states that each person operating a civil aircraft of U.S. registry over the high seas shall comply with Annex 2 to the Convention of International Civil Aviation, International Standards - Rules of the Air.

A filled-in FAA Form 7233-4 example: a pilot files the international flight plan

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, example: a pilot files the international flight plan
A pilot of a civil aircraft fills out the International Flight Plan. The flight takes 3 hours 20 minutes, carries 2 persons, and has 4 hours 30 minutes endurance. The picture shows the filled plan, and every value in it is made up.

How to fill out FAA Form 7233-4, box by box

Addressee, filing time and originator

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, addressee, filing time and originator

Fill in ADDRESSEE(S).

Fill in FILING TIME and ORIGINATOR.

Aircraft identification, flight rules and type of flight

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, aircraft identification, flight rules and type of flight

Fill in 7 AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION, 8 FLIGHT RULES and TYPE OF FLIGHT.

Number, type of aircraft, wake turbulence cat. and equipment

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, number, type of aircraft, wake turbulence cat. and equipment

Fill in 9 NUMBER, TYPE OF AIRCRAFT, WAKE TURBULENCE CAT. and 10 EQUIPMENT.

Departure aerodrome and time

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, departure aerodrome and time

Fill in 13 DEPARTURE AERODROME and TIME.

Cruising speed, level and route

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, cruising speed, level and route

Fill in 15 CRUISING SPEED, LEVEL and ROUTE.

Destination aerodrome, total EET, ALTN aerodrome and 2ND ALTN aerodrome

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, destination aerodrome, total EET, ALTN aerodrome and 2ND ALTN aerodrome

Fill in 16 DESTINATION AERODROME, TOTAL EET in HR and MIN, ALTN AERODROME and 2ND ALTN AERODROME.

Endurance, persons on board and emergency radio

FAA Form 7233-4 example filled out, endurance, persons on board and emergency radio

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (NOT TO BE TRANSMITTED IN FPL MESSAGES) is 19 ENDURANCE, PERSONS ON BOARD and EMERGENCY RADIO.

Fill in ENDURANCE in HR and MIN and PERSONS ON BOARD.

More rules for FAA Form 7233-4

International briefing information may not be current or complete. Data should be secured, at the first opportunity, from the country in whose airspace the flight will be conducted.

The Pre-Flight Pilot Checklist has lines for Aircraft Identification, Time of Briefing and Remarks.

Fill in SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION OF ADDRESSEE(S) AND / OR ORIGINATOR.

Fill in 18 OTHER INFORMATION.

Fill in DINGHIES: NUMBER, CAPACITY, COVER and COLOR.

Fill in AIRCRAFT COLOR AND MARKINGS.

Fill in REMARKS.

Fill in PILOT-IN-COMMAND, FILED BY, ACCEPTED BY and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Common questions about FAA Form 7233-4

Is there a penalty?

Failure to file could result in a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation (Section 901 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended) (checked October 22, 2026).

Sources

[1] FAA Form 7233-4 (02/24), International Flight Plan, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (the Official source link on this page).

International Flight Plan Form PDF Details

Flying internationally requires meticulous planning and adherence to regulatory requirements, one of which is the completion of the International Flight Plan form, approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under control number 2120-0026. This document, vital for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation, is essential for all civil aircraft of U.S. registry crossing international waters, ensuring compliance with Annex 2 to the Convention of International Civil Aviation, which mandates the submission of a detailed flight plan covering items 1-19. Notably, the form includes various sections such as aircraft identification, flight rules, type of flight, departure and destination aerodromes, and other crucial supplementary information like emergency contact details, survival equipment onboard, and pilot-in-command identification. The stipulation of these details offers a framework that air traffic controllers use to provide control and search and rescue services, enhancing the safety and identification of aircraft, alongside ensuring the well-being of persons both onboard and on the ground. Failing to file this form could lead to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each violation, emphasizing the importance of its accurate completion. Additionally, it serves as a pre-flight checklist for pilots, encompassing weather conditions, navigation aids, communication status, and potential airspace restrictions. This document's role extends beyond mere regulatory compliance, assisting in safeguarding flights by facilitating effective communication of pertinent flight details to relevant authorities and entities.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameInternational Flight Plan Form
Form Length2 pages
Fillable?Yes
Fillable fields174
Avg. time to fill out30 sec
Other namesinternational flight plan form, faa form plan, international flight plan, form 7233 4