Definition
The automated handling of flight plan and flight progress information within an air traffic control system. FDP receives filed flight plans, calculates expected routing and times over fixes, distributes flight progress data to the appropriate controller positions, and updates that data as the flight proceeds.
Plain English
The computer system ATC uses to take a flight plan and turn it into the routing and timing information controllers see on their screens and strips. It keeps that information current as the flight moves through the system.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of air traffic control automation and how flight plan information moves through the air traffic system.
Why Pilots Care
When a flight plan is filed, FDP is what makes it usable to controllers. If FDP rejects or mishandles a plan (bad route, unknown fix, timing issues), the pilot may get a delay, an amended clearance, or a request to refile.
Intuition Check
Do not read FDP as a cockpit procedure the pilot performs. In this context, it refers to automated handling of flight information used by air traffic control.
Example Sentence 1
The controller explained the delay was on the ground end — the route had been kicked back by flight data processing and needed to be amended before clearance could be issued.
Example Sentence 2
Changes to the flight plan are entered into the FDP system and become immediately available to all sectors.