Definition
Supps refers to the ICAO Regional Supplementary Procedures, a document (ICAO Doc 7030) containing procedures that supplement the standard ICAO rules and apply only within specific geographic regions of the world. These procedures address operational requirements unique to a region, such as oceanic airspace, that are not covered by the worldwide standards in the main ICAO Annexes.
Plain English
Supps is shorthand for a set of extra flight rules that apply in certain parts of the world. The main international flying rules cover most situations everywhere, but some regions need additional procedures, and those extras are collected in a document pilots informally call the Supps.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA and international aviation references when discussing procedures that apply outside normal domestic U.S. operations.
Derivation
Short for 'Supplementary,' from Latin supplementum meaning 'something added to fill a gap.' The name fits because these procedures fill in the regional gaps left by the worldwide ICAO standards.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must review Supps to ensure they have the most current aeronautical information for safe flight planning and operations.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse Supps with a general supplement or extra reading material. In this context, Supps refers to specific regional aviation procedures used for international operations.
Example Sentence 1
Before the North Atlantic crossing, the crew reviewed the relevant Supps for oceanic clearance and position reporting.
Example Sentence 2
Supps are issued periodically to keep the AIP current between full revisions.