Planning Paris to Amsterdam (LFPG–EHAM): A Sample IFR Briefing
Short European airline sectors are ideal for practicing full IFR workflow without a twelve-hour commitment. The Paris Charles de Gaulle (LFPG) to Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM) leg is a classic example: busy airspace, structured airways, and roughly one hour block time in a narrow-body jet. This spotlight walks through a real NG ROUTE briefing you can load and fly today.
Generate the plan
Open the planner with the city pair pre-filled:
ngroute.com/?dep=LFPG&arr=EHAM
Settings that match a typical Air France or KLM-style hop:
- Airway level: HIGH (jet airways)
- Aircraft: Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737-800
Click CREATE FLIGHT PLAN. NG ROUTE returns a route near 218 NM following published structure rather than a straight line over Belgium.
Sample route string
A representative ICAO route from the planner:
LFPG DCT VENOR N874 VEKIN N873 EKROS DCT EHAM
Read it as: depart Paris, proceed direct to VENOR, join airway N874 to VEKIN, continue N873 to EKROS, then direct into Amsterdam. The nav log expands each leg with distances for MCDU entry verification.
Only a few fixes — perfect for practicing a clean nav log brief without hundred-waypoint oceanic listings.
Expected performance (A320neo)
| Field | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~219 NM |
| ETA | ~50–55 minutes block |
| Cruise | FL330 (eastbound semi-circular) |
| Trip fuel | ~2.0–2.3 t (see NG ROUTE fuel panel) |
Exact fuel depends on winds aloft chart and NG ROUTE contingency/reserve breakdown. Load the TOTAL FUEL line into the sim — short hops still need reserve fuel on paper.
METAR and runways
Check live METAR cards for both ends when you build the plan:
- LFPG — multiple parallel runways; wind determines 26L/R vs 08L/R family
- EHAM — prefer headwind on 18R/36C or 06/24 pairs depending on METAR
With MSFS live weather, set runways to match NG ROUTE suggestions before pushback. Set Amsterdam QNH on approach from the arrival METAR block.
Terrain and weather along track
This route crosses relatively low terrain by airline standards — no Alpine escape routing required. Still review the terrain profile: cruise at FL330 provides enormous margin. SIGMET/AIRMET panels may flag convection in summer months across northern France and the Benelux; deviate visually or edit waypoints if practicing weather avoidance.
Simulator export
- MSFS: Download
LFPG-EHAM.pln— see the MSFS import guide - X-Plane: Download
LFPG-EHAM.fms— see the X-Plane guide - Aerofly: Mission file — see the Aerofly guide
Add SID/STAR in the FMS if your navdata includes them — NG ROUTE exports en-route airways only.
VATSIM / IVAO filing
File the displayed ICAO string on your network flight plan form. Request initial climb via Paris departure procedures, cruise at filed FL330, expect descent via Amsterdam STAR. The online briefing guide covers the full checklist.
Training variations
- Fly daytime VFR weather for nav log familiarity.
- Repeat at night with live METAR for approach lighting practice.
- Swap aircraft to A321 for slightly different fuel and V-speeds.
- Reverse direction EHAM–LFPG and note even flight level cruise (FL320).
LFPG–EHAM distills everything NG ROUTE does well on one screen: realistic airways, quick METAR, fuel math, and one-click export. Master this hop and longer sectors become an extension of the same habit loop.
Route and weather data change with AIRAC cycles and live METAR. Rebuild the plan before each session for current numbers.