What are the Mandatory reporting points in the context of flight planning?

Mandatory reporting points are critical locations that pilots must report to air traffic control (ATC) as part of their flight operations, particularly within controlled airspace. The acronym MARVELOUSVFRC500 minus COFE encapsulates these reporting points, which are essential for maintaining safe and efficient air traffic management.

This acronym serves as a mnemonic for the specific mandatory reporting points:

• M: Missed approach

• A: Arrival

• R: Route deviation

• V: Vertical deviation

• E: Emergency

• L: Local airport

• O: Outside airspace

• U: Unlawful interference

• S: Special use airspace

• V: VFR on top

• F: Final approach fix

• R: Radar identification

• C: Compulsory reporting points

The exclusion of COFE from the acronym highlights the points that do not necessarily require mandatory reporting, thus reinforcing the importance of the retained points. Understanding these mandatory reporting points is crucial for compliance with regulations and for ensuring that pilots communicate effectively with ATC during different phases of flight.