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By the end of this guide, you will have completed the pre-departure release checklist — verifying crew qualifications, aircraft airworthiness, weather, NOTAMs, fuel plan, weight and balance, passenger manifest, and customs compliance — and released the trip for dispatch.
The Operations module must be enabled for your workspace. You also need the appropriate operations permissions. Contact your workspace administrator if you cannot access these features.
You need the dispatch.release permission to complete the checklist and release a trip.

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Prerequisites

  • The trip must be in Confirmed status with aircraft and crew assigned.
  • All trip legs must have departure and destination airports set.
  • A current weather briefing should be available (auto-fetched or manually uploaded to the trip binder).

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Open the release checklist

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Step 1: Navigate to the trip detail page
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Open the trip from the All Trips list, the Dispatch Board, or the Schedule page. The trip must be in Confirmed status.
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Step 2: Click Release
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In the trip detail header, click the Release button. The Release Checklist dialog opens as a full-page overlay with all checklist items displayed.
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Alternatively, you can access the checklist from the Dispatch Board by clicking the Release action on the trip’s queue card.
The Release button is only visible on trips in Confirmed status. If the button is not visible, verify that the trip status is Confirmed and that you have the dispatch.release permission.

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Checklist items

The release checklist is organized into five groups: Crew qualifications, Aircraft airworthiness, Flight planning, Passenger and customs, and Trip binder. Each item has a checkbox, a status indicator (green for passed, red for failed), and supporting detail. Some items are auto-checked by PlaneConnection based on crew profile data, aircraft records, and trip timing. Items marked “Manual” require you to verify the condition outside the system and check the box yourself.
Auto-checks rely on current data in crew profiles. If a pilot has recently renewed a medical certificate or completed a proficiency check, ensure the record has been updated in their crew profile before attempting the release. Stale data will cause false failures.

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Complete the checklist

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Step 1: Review auto-checked items
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Scan the checklist for items that are already checked (green indicator). These have been verified automatically. Review the detail text for each to confirm the data is current.
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If an auto-checked item shows a red indicator, click the item row to expand the detail panel, which explains the failure reason (e.g., “PIC medical expires in 2 days — valid for departure but will expire before return leg”).
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Step 2: Verify manual items
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For items that require manual verification (marked with a “Manual” badge), perform the check outside the system and then check the box:
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  • MEL items reviewed — Open the aircraft discrepancy list, review any open MEL deferrals, and confirm the aircraft is dispatchable under the MEL.
  • NOTAMs reviewed — Read through the NOTAMs in the trip binder and confirm no NOTAMs affect the planned operation.
  • Fuel plan adequate — Verify the fuel load on the fuel plan meets regulatory minimums for the route and conditions.
  • Alternate airport designated — Confirm an alternate is filed if weather at the destination is below alternate minimums.
  • eAPIS filed — Verify the eAPIS filing confirmation document is in the trip binder.
  • Customs/immigration arranged — Confirm CBP notification or customs clearance for international arrivals.
  • Required equipment operative — Verify that all equipment required for the specific operation (RVSM, ETOPS, overwater) is functioning.
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    When you check a manual item, you are attesting that you have personally verified the condition. Your name and timestamp are recorded on the checklist record.
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    Step 3: Add notes (optional)
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    Each checklist item has a Notes field where you can document observations, exceptions, or context. For example:
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  • “MEL: Autopilot yaw damper deferred per MEL 22-01, flight restriction noted — VFR only.”
  • “Fuel plan includes 200 lb extra for forecast headwinds.”
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    Notes become part of the permanent release record.
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    Step 4: Address any failures
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    If any item has a red indicator (failed auto-check or unchecked manual item), the Release Trip button at the bottom of the checklist is disabled. You must resolve the failure before proceeding.
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    Common resolution paths:
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    FailureResolutionPIC medical expiredUpdate the crew profile with the renewed medical, or assign a different PIC.Aircraft has grounding discrepancyResolve the discrepancy in the maintenance module, or assign a different aircraft.Weather briefing staleClick Refresh Weather to fetch a current briefing.W&B missingComplete the weight and balance calculation on the trip Legs tab.Trip binder incompleteUpload missing documents to the binder.
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    Step 5: Release the trip
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    When all items show green indicators (checked), the Release Trip button becomes active. Click it to release the trip.
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    The trip status changes to Released. A release record is created containing:
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  • Every checklist item with its status and any notes.
  • The name of the dispatcher or PIC who completed the release.
  • The timestamp of the release.
  • A unique release reference number.
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    Crew members assigned to the trip receive a notification that the trip has been released with all documents available in the trip binder.

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    Override a blocked item

    In exceptional circumstances, a blocked checklist item can be overridden by an authorized user.
    Overrides are intended for situations where the system data is incorrect or where a regulatory exception applies. Overriding a legitimately failed item without proper justification violates your organization’s operational control procedures and may constitute a regulatory violation under 14 CFR 135.
    Only users with the chief_pilot or director_of_operations role can override blocked items. To override:
    1. Click the failed item row to expand it.
    2. Click Request Override.
    3. Enter a mandatory justification explaining why the override is appropriate (e.g., “Medical renewal completed today, paperwork in transit, verbal confirmation from AME Dr. Smith”).
    4. Click Approve Override.
    The item changes to a yellow “Overridden” indicator. The override, justification, and authorizing user are recorded in the release record.

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    View release history

    Every release creates a permanent, immutable record. To review past releases:
    1. Open the trip detail page.
    2. Click the Timeline tab.
    3. Release events appear as timeline entries with a link to the full release record, including every checklist item, notes, overrides, and the releasing dispatcher’s name.
    Release records are retained for the duration configured in your workspace settings (minimum 12 months per 14 CFR 135.63).

    Manage the Trip Binder

    Assemble documents required by the release checklist.

    Conduct a Flight Risk Assessment

    Complete the FRAT that the release checklist verifies.

    Manage Crew

    Keep crew qualifications current to pass release checks.

    Manage Discrepancies

    Resolve aircraft discrepancies that block release.
    Last modified on April 11, 2026