Which equipment determines the code to be entered in block 3 as a suffix to the aircraft type on the flight plan form?

Which equipment determines the code to be entered in block 3 as a suffix to the aircraft type on the flight plan form?

• A. DME, transponder, and RNAV
• B. DME, transponder, and ADF
• C. DME, ADF, and airborne radar
• D. DME, transponder, and GPS

Answer: (A)

Block 3 shows the equipment available on the aircraft, and the suffix attached to the aircraft type tells ATC what navigation and surveillance capabilities the aircraft has. The combination of DME, transponder, and RNAV defines what enables precise routing and identification: DME provides distance information to ground stations, which helps with position awareness; the transponder allows ATC radar identification and altitude reporting; RNAV shows the aircraft can follow RNAV routes, typically using GNSS like GPS. Together, these three pieces of equipment represent the standard set that determines the block 3 suffix for IFR flight plans. Older or separate items like ADF or radar aren’t part of this suffix rule, and GPS is considered part of RNAV, so you’d reflect RNAV rather than listing GPS separately.

Block 3 shows the equipment available on the aircraft, and the suffix attached to the aircraft type tells ATC what navigation and surveillance capabilities the aircraft has. The combination of DME, transponder, and RNAV defines what enables precise routing and identification: DME provides distance information to ground stations, which helps with position awareness; the transponder allows ATC radar identification and altitude reporting; RNAV shows the aircraft can follow RNAV routes, typically using GNSS like GPS. Together, these three pieces of equipment represent the standard set that determines the block 3 suffix for IFR flight plans. Older or separate items like ADF or radar aren’t part of this suffix rule, and GPS is considered part of RNAV, so you’d reflect RNAV rather than listing GPS separately.