Keep the flight strip up to date until EDST entry to maintain accuracy.

Keeping a flight plan accurate is something you’ll hear a lot in radar SOP discussions. It isn’t just about checking a box; it’s about making sure everyone who relies on that plan can do their job safely and smoothly. Here’s the core idea you’ll want to tuck away: keep the strip up to date until the flight plan has been entered into EDST, the Electronic Data Submission Tool.

Let me explain why that little rule matters so much. Think about a flight that changes its route, or nudges its departure time by a few minutes. In a busy control room, changes like these ripple through a web of people and systems—dispatch, controllers on the ground, the flight crew, and the data handlers who keep records current. If the strip isn’t updated, you end up with a mismatch between what’s planned and what’s actually happening. That mismatch can lead to timing errors, conflicting instructions, or missed coordination points. In other words, accuracy isn’t a luxury; it’s a safety margin.

The strip as a living document

In many ops rooms, the flight strip is the primary line of sight for what’s changing in real time. It isn’t fragile, and it isn’t decorative. It’s a working record that shows the latest route, departure time, initial altitude, alternate plans, hold patterns, and other critical details. When changes occur, the strip should reflect them promptly. Keeping it current means you’re not just preserving history—you’re sustaining an accurate, shared picture of the flight’s status.

The EDST connection

EDST stands as the official channel where the updated plan gets logged into the system. Entering data into EDST creates a traceable record that all parties can see and reference. It’s not enough to hand over a neatly updated strip to someone else and assume the job is done. The data needs to be captured in EDST so it travels through the right networks and reaches the right people. This is how you convert a good intention into a verifiable action that supports safe and efficient operations.

Why the other options can trip you up

• Filing it in a binder (Option A) isn’t a real update. A binder holds information, but it doesn’t actively communicate changes to the teams that need them. It’s a helpful keepsake at best, not a live signal for status.

• Notifying a supervisor (Option C) is a step, but it’s not the same as updating the flight strip in a shared system. A supervisor can be in the loop, sure, but the critical piece is ensuring the strip itself shows the latest facts.

• Waiting for further instructions (Option D) invites delays and uncertain timing. In dynamic airspace, delays can cascade quickly. Prompt updates keep everyone aligned and reduce confusion.

A practical way to stay current

Let’s translate that rule into a workflow you can actually use:

1. Monitor for changes continuously

• Departure time shifts? Route tweaks? Altitude changes? Note them as soon as you hear them.

• Don’t wait for someone to remind you. You’re part of the real-time information flow.

2. Update the strip without delay

• Reflect every change you identify on the physical or digital strip you’re using.

• Double-check that the updated items match what you’ve heard or seen in the official messages.

3. Enter the updated data into EDST

• When you have a confirmed change, transfer it to EDST promptly.

• Verify that EDST shows the same details as the strip. If there’s a discrepancy, resolve it before you move on.

4. Confirm visibility and reach

• Make sure the updated EDST entry is accessible by everyone who needs it—controllers, dispatchers, flight crew, and supervisors.

• If you rely on multiple display systems, confirm all feeds reflect the update.

5. Close the loop with a quick check

• After EDST entry, run a quick mental scan: does the EDST record match the strip? Are there any ancillary notes (special handling, weather considerations, alternate plans) that need highlighting?

A real-world tilt, not a theoretical one

Here’s a small tangent that helps the idea land. If you’ve ever coordinated a big event—say a conference with speakers and schedules—you know that people rely on a single, up-to-date master schedule. If a speaker slot shifts and the schedule in your pocket doesn’t reflect it, chaos follows. Flight strips and EDST work the same way in the skyways. The toolset is different, but the principle is the same: current information minimizes confusion and keeps everyone in sync.

Tips to avoid common snags

• Create a mental habit of “update first, notify second.” The update is the act that makes the communication meaningful.

• Use a concise, standardized language for changes. This reduces misinterpretation and speeds entry into EDST.

• When in doubt, re-check. A quick cross-check between the strip and EDST can avert bigger mix-ups later.

• Build a simple checklist that you run through at each shift handover. If you’re handing off a flight, the last thing you want is ambiguity about the plan.

When to bring a supervisor into the loop

There are moments when involving a supervisor makes sense, but it should not replace the update-and-enter step in EDST. If you encounter a change that crosses into policy constraints, safety considerations, or regulatory thresholds, loop in a supervisor to confirm the interpretation or flag it for higher-level review. The supervisor’s role is to validate and escalate, not to replace the day-to-day task of keeping the strip current and EDST updated.

Common pitfalls—and how to sidestep them

• Treating the strip as a static artifact: it isn’t. Make it a living document by updating it as changes come in.

• Assuming EDST will auto-catch everything: human oversight is still essential. Verify the EDST entry against the strip.

• Delaying updates until a cue comes from someone else: delays breed misalignment and risk. Stay proactive.

• Overloading the strip with too many notes: keep it precise. Clarity ensures fast comprehension.

A quick recap you can carry in your pocket

• The core rule: keep the strip up to date until EDST has the official entry.

• Why it matters: it preserves accuracy, supports safety, and keeps operations flowing.

• The workflow: detect changes, update the strip, enter into EDST, confirm visibility, and do a final check.

• What not to do: don’t rely on a binder, don’t skip EDST, avoid waiting for further instructions.

• Small habits, big impact: quick updates, concise language, and regular handovers.

Closing thought

Radar SOPs aren’t just about rules on a page. They’re about a rhythm—how information moves between hands, minds, and screens so a flight can go from takeoff to safe arrival with confidence. The little discipline of updating the strip until EDST has the final word is a quiet, steady practice that prevents confusion from creeping in and helps you sleep a little easier at night, knowing you’ve kept the line clear for everyone who depends on it.

If you’re navigating this stuff for the first time, you’re not alone. It takes a few days to feel natural, and that’s okay. Keep your updates timely, keep EDST accurate, and stay curious about how each change threads through the chain of people and systems that keep the sky safe. After all, in radar work, clarity isn’t just nice to have—it’s what keeps the airspace safe for everyone sharing it.