Definition
A free-text field on the flight plan form (Block 11 on the FAA Form 7233-1, or the equivalent field on an ICAO flight plan) used by the pilot to communicate information to ATC that does not fit into the structured fields of the form. Entries here can include requested non-standard procedures, equipment notes, special handling requests, or — relevant to ODPs — a statement that the pilot will fly a specific Obstacle Departure Procedure on departure.
Plain English
It is the part of the flight plan where the pilot writes extra information for ATC in plain language — anything important that the regular boxes on the form do not cover.
Context Anchor
Seen when filing a flight plan before departure, especially when a pilot wants air traffic control to know about a planned route, procedure, or special need.
Derivation
Remarks comes from an older meaning of making a comment or noting something. Section means a separate part of a larger form or document. Together, the phrase points to the part of the flight plan set aside for added comments.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to communicate critical details that affect routing, separation, or controller expectations, reducing the chance of misunderstandings during departure or en route phases.
Intuition Check
Do not treat the remarks section as casual notes for yourself. In a filed flight plan, remarks are added information meant to be seen and used by air traffic services.
Example Sentence 1
Because the airport had a published ODP, the pilot wrote "Will fly DENVER TWO Departure" in the remarks section of the flight plan.
Example Sentence 2
Equipment limitations were noted in the remarks section of the flight plan so the controller could assign an appropriate routing.