ForeFlight and FAA develop digital clearance system for pilots

Jeppesen ForeFlight and the Federal Aviation Administration have developed Mobile Clearance, a system that connects pilots directly with air traffic controllers through the ForeFlight Mobile app, allowing pilots to manage IFR flight plans without radio calls or congested phone lines.

The technology was demonstrated at the Jeppesen ForeFlight booth during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, with pilots departing Appleton International Airport (ATW) able to use the feature to receive departure clearances throughout the show. The system allows pilots to request and receive IFR departure clearances digitally, removing the need to manually transcribe and read back long clearances. It also supports amended and revised clearances issued directly to a pilot's iPad or iPhone, with notifications prompting pilots to accept or reject each clearance. A separate capability planned for rollout soon will allow pilots to close IFR flight plans within ForeFlight upon arrival at uncontrolled fields, addressing safety concerns around premature in-air cancellations made to avoid busy ATC phone lines after landing.

Travis Root, senior vice president of flight deck products, says: “We are proud to assist the FAA in using innovative technology to address the challenges facing today's air traffic control system." He adds: "By unclogging communication lines and easing pilot and controller workload, we're building a safer and more efficient future for aviation together. Throughout this development process, the FAA has been an exceptionally engaged partner, working closely with us to conceptualise, implement and refine the system to meet the demands of a modern airspace.”

Mobile Clearance is currently live at a growing number of airports in Texas, with expansion into other states planned. United Flight Systems, a flight school based at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH) in Houston, Texas, supported testing and validation of the system in real-world conditions.