Answer to the problem = An automated Xcheck. We cannot go back to the RTOW paper charts so why not make the best usage of automation.
The computer system used, either a cockpit BLT/LPC/OIS or that used via ACARS needs to have a sub routine working in the back ground. This routine should know the usual average TOW for the airlines sectors (a simple summation program) and if there is a significant variation to that on the day then display a warning screen.
Such a system exists and is operational at the airline I work for. It's even better: it compares the TOW that's inserted into the (ACARS-based) performance system with the last known TOW in the loadsheet-system. If the difference exceeds certain thresholds, a warning is added to the message.
No system is gonna be foolproof, but this seems like a fairly straighforward way to catch this kind of error.
Last edited by MoodyBlue; 9th Jul 2010 at 13:48.
Reason: Typo