Flight Information Program (FLIP)

Flight Information Publications and Flight Information Products (FLIP) are sensitive flight critical mapping and charting type items produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), foreign governments and commercial vendors that are distributed by Defense Distribution Mapping and varied civilian contractors.

Flight Information Program (FLIP) Products

A complete list of available FLIP and related products are contained in the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog of Maps, Charts, and Other Geospatial Products, Section 2 - Flight Information Publications (FLIP).

There are three standard types of Flight Information Publications (Planning, Enroute and Terminal) that cover eight geographic areas throughout the world. These items are produced in increments varying from 28 to 365 days. Sufficient quantities of each product type are produced and printed to adequately supply all active subscription accounts and depot shelf stock.

Planning Products

FLIP planning products include books intended primarily for use in pre-flight planning at base, squadron, and unit operations offices and low altitude, large scale wall charts showing radio aids to navigation, authorized airports, and other aeronautical data necessary for preliminary flight planning.

Enroute Products

These publications are designed to provide enroute information portraying high and low altitude airway systems with related navigational data and airports required to support radio navigation. Products include Flight Information Handbooks, supplements, and low/high altitude sheets.

Terminal Products

Terminal products provide information on standardized routings, instrument approach procedures, and terrain data within a 50 nautical mile radius of selected airports.

Miscellaneous Products

There are a number of FLIP-related products containing other important aeronautical information. Some examples include Foreign Clearance Guides, Sectional Aeronautical Charts, VFR Terminal Area Charts, U.S. Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPs), Airman's Information Manual, ICAO Documents and the Air Almanac.

FLIP Ordering Procedures

FLIP products are assigned National Stock Numbers (NSN) and can be ordered by MILSTRIP / FEDSTRIP. However the urgent need and short interval between FLIP products makes constant ordering burdensome and timely receipt and use unlikely. Therefore, FLIP distribution is normally achieved through Automatic Distribution (AD) rather than through ordering. When establishing AD customers must identify the effective date their AD is to begin and must submit their request 60 days prior to that date.

FLIP Automatic Distribution

FLIP products are published in 28-day cycles to coincide with internationally established effective dates. The National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) provide initial Automatic Distribution (AD) of all FLIP cycles to customers via direct contractor delivery. Although the Richmond Map Facility (RMF) compiles and monitors the list of authorized FLIP customers, we are not responsible for FLIP AD to customers at the start of each cycle.

MCO maintains limited quantities of shelf stock, which are available to customers through the normal requisitioning process. Customers must order through their local supply channels to obtain the required FLIP products. To ensure requirements are met, it is strongly suggested customers receive requirements via AD.

FLIP stock numbers can be obtained via the NGA Reference Number/ National Stock Number (NRN/NSN) Download page.

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Missing or Lost FLIP Subscription/Automatic Distribution (AD) Shipments

Inquiries concerning automatic distribution shortages or undelivered shipments of Flight Information Publications for both Continental United States and Overseas based customers should be made through local receipt channels, such as the base Post Office, the base Transportation Office, the local parcel service, etc., whichever is the established transportation carrier for delivery of products. Every possible effort should be made on-base or locally to find delayed or undelivered shipments. If unsure from where the Automatic Initial Distribution (AD) originated, please contact NGA at the following numbers: DSN 369-5270, toll free COM 800-771-3149 or COM 636-321-5270.

If above self-search method fails, contact NGAs DoD FLIP printing contractors directly (except Army, see note below). When inquiring about a product please state your DoD Activity Address Code (e.g.,JM5000) and the NGA Reference Number(s) of the Product(s).

• For "fold-out" charts (DoD-only products: Enroutes, Terminal Areas, Area Arrival Charts Depicting Terrain Data, and AP/1B Military Training Routes) contact Techna-Graphics, Inc. Toll free COM 800-831-6462.
• For "books" (DoD-only products: Terminal IAPs, Supplements, Supplement Terminals, Flight Information Handbook, and Planning) contact R. R. Donnelley Toll free COM 866-593-7136.
• For any FAA FLIP automatic distribution inquiries or to resolve any issues with the DoD contractors cited in (1) & (2) above, contact NGA, DSN 369-5270, toll free COM 800-771-3149 or COM 636-321-5270, FAX DSN 369-5113 or COM 636-321-5113.

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Flight Information Program - Related (FLIPR) Program

There are a number of Flight Information Related Products that contain important aeronautical information. Some are not necessarily required to accomplish operational missions, but are likely instruments useful for mission preparation and support.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the most commonly known producer and distributor of U.S. aeronautical charts. Domestic aeronautical charts and related publications can be obtain from the FAA distribution center and through a network of various sales agents. A free publication, Aeronautical Charts and Related Products, includes a list of dealers, and descriptions of the charts and publications distributed by the FAA.

The date of an aeronautical chart is important. Critical changes occur constantly, and it is important for users to have up-to-date charts. To ensure that only the latest charts are used, FAA publishes Dates of Latest Edition, available free from FAA distribution centers and sales agents.

Some aeronautical FLIPR charts are distributed by the Richmond Map Facility (RMF). Those stock numbers can be obtained via the NGA Reference Number/ National Stock Number (NRN/NSN) Download page.

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Non-Department of Defense Flight Information Publications

Non-DOD FLIP products are produced by commercial or foreign organizations (i.e., Jeppersen, RAF) and are not cataloged by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS), nor managed by the Defense Supply Center Richmond-Mapping Customer Operations.

Non-DOD FLIP products are usually substituted for DOD FLIP products because the required coverage does not exist or does not contain critical information that is available on the non-DOD FLIP products.

For more information, please contact the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency at 636-321-5270 or DSN 369-5270.

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Products

There are a number of Federal Aviation Administration related products available that contain important aeronautical information. Some are not necessarily required to accomplish operational missions, but are likely instruments useful for mission preparation and support.

Due to the limited shelf stock and the unavailability of reprints, publications will be managed and stocked as "Fill" or "Kill" only. The best means of receiving FAA publications is via subscription/Automatic Distribution (AD). When ordering or requesting products for AD, use the based publication NRN only. Change notices and new publications are forwarded based on the basic publication.

The date and edition of FAA publications are very important. Referring to obsolete information may be dangerous. Critical changes occur constantly. To ensure current and accurate information is maintained, you can reference the FAA Aviation System Standards Downloads for various products.

• FAATP Products
• FAA Publications

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DoD Foreign Clearance Guides (FCG) 

The unclassified DoD Foreign Clearance Guide products is available online at https://www.fcg.pentagon.mil

Please direct all Foreign Clearance Program questions and concerns to:

HQ USAF/A10P
(703)614-0130
DSN: 224-0130
DoD.FCP@us.af.mil

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Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Account Management

FLIP Account Managers are the initial point of contact for authorizing FLIP subscription/Automatic Distribution (AD) account establishment, consolidation, modification, termination and discrepancies. Any request concerning FLIP AD should be directed to the appropriate FLIP Account Managers.

• Do you want to establish a FLIP subscription account?

The U.S. Armed Forces have established guides to determine the appropriate actual number of FLIP charts required to accomplish military missions within their area of operations. Quantities indicated are considered the required amounts for satisfactory operations in accordance to the type of military activities and in-flight operations. Prior to ordering, be sure to reference respective command regulations or instructions for any current or additional authorization policies. Please order only what is needed

• Basis of Distribution (XLS)

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Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Account Managers

All other customers, should contact the DLA Aviation-Map Customer Operations (DLA AVN-MCO) Customer Management Branch.

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Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Automatic Distribution (AD)

FLIP products are published in 28-day cycles to coincide with internationally established effective dates. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) provides initial Automatic Distribution (AD) of all FLIP cycles to customers via direct contractor delivery.

DLA maintains limited quantities of shelf stock, which are available to customers through the normal requisitioning process. Customers must order through their local supply channels to obtain the required FLIP products. To ensure requirements are met, it is strongly suggested customer receive requirements via subscription (AD).

The following schedules can aid in determining when to start subscription/AD. Below are the current schedules:

• 2023 Flight Information Publication Distribution Schedule (PDF)
• 2023 Flight Information Publication Activation Schedule (PDF)
• 2024 Flight Information Publication Distribution Schedule (PDF)
• 2024 Flight Information Publication Activation Schedule (PDF)

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Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Crisis Ordering

The following Defense Distribution Mapping-Map Support Offices (DDM-MSO) may be able to supply limited quantities of FLIP products for emergency purposes only depending upon your location--but will not be able to supply a full compliment of products. Contact the Defense Supply Center Richmond-Mapping Customer Operations (DSCR-MCO) Customer Management Branch or the appropriate DDM-MSO for assistance.

FLIP stock numbers can be obtained via the NGA Reference Number/ National Stock Number (NRN/NSN) Download page.

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Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Routine Ordering

FLIP products are assigned NGA Reference Numbers (NRN) and National Stock Numbers (NSN), and can be ordered by MILSTRIP/FEDSTRIP. However, the urgent need and short interval between FLIP products makes constant ordering burdensome and timely receipt unlikely. Therefore, FLIP distribution is normally achieved through subscription/Automatic Distribution (AD) rather than through routine ordering. To ensure timely service when establishing AD customers must identify the effective date their subscription is to begin and submit their request 60 days prior to their required delivery date.

FLIP stock numbers can be obtained via the NGA Reference Number/ National Stock Number (NRN/NSN) Download page.

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