Here is my pre flight briefing.
I check the TAFS and METARS, file a FP if needed, fax a GenDec and tell the boys in blue as required and then call for PPR and possibly send a fax to tell customs I am coming.
I fly for business and pleasure. Unfortunately I don’t have a flight briefing office at my disposal to take care of this for me.
I have flown aircraft with fuelling systems that are sufficiently complicated that I know I need to read the POH once and then once again, and then see why many pilots have still got themselves into trouble.
I therefore like aircraft where the designer has thought about the Hfs and provided me with systems that are simple because I am a simple person.
Moreover sometimes I need to get from A to B at short notice - I don’t want to enjoy the pleasures of a NOTAM briefing that refers me to an AIC or necessitates my finding my map and ruler to plot twenty different points.
Shock horror, sometimes I set off with no particular plan in mind and decide it might be quite pleasant to head off in a different direction from that originally intended for a bit of cross country.
With all that in mind I can self brief using a graphical interface very efficiently and effectively whilst still being aware of the imperfections with the system. Strangely, I can even do it in the air with some aplomb.
To me the clever part is not being satisfied with blaming the pilot for being lazy but in designing a system that recognises the pilot is not only likely to be lazy but also a bit simple so lets make life as easy as possible for the pilot and give him the least possible excuse for screwing up my clever design.
As I said I am just a simple person and that is why I am a greater supporter of these kind people who have written graphical interfaces for us. I think for every one of us that uses them we should support them and encourage NATS to help and for every one that does not use them or check the NOTAMS at all because they think it is to complicated to give one of the graphical products a go.
For every one else (those that use and have always used the NATS site) and nothing else or have a briefing officer I am very happy for you. You are excused.