What is the primary use of a flight plan?

The primary use of a flight plan is to inform Air Traffic Control (ATC) of an aircraft's route. This documentation plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and efficient air traffic management. By filing a flight plan, a pilot provides essential information about the intended flight path, including departure and destination points, estimated altitudes, and waypoints. This allows ATC to monitor and manage air traffic, coordinating the movements of multiple aircraft to prevent conflicts and enhance safety. The flight plan also serves as a reference point for both ATC and the pilots, facilitating communication and ensuring that everyone has a clear understanding of the planned flight itinerary.

While navigation aids, emergency contacts, and fuel calculations are important aspects of flight preparation and operations, they are not the primary purpose of a flight plan. The focus on dispelling confusion regarding the aircraft's route to ATC is paramount to safe flight operations.