Flight Planning Software
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Join Date: Feb 2000
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Flight Planning Software
Can anybody recommend any reasonable flight planning software packages ? The ones I have tried appear to have bugs that the writers don't seem keen to acknowledge or address.
Once they get your cash is that the end of the support ????
I know that the Jeppesen one is supposed to be good, but they have been in the process of linking it to NAIPS for the last year or so....
Comments to help me from blowing any more cash on something non beer related??
TIA Fizzy
Once they get your cash is that the end of the support ????
I know that the Jeppesen one is supposed to be good, but they have been in the process of linking it to NAIPS for the last year or so....
Comments to help me from blowing any more cash on something non beer related??
TIA Fizzy
Join Date: Mar 2000
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I've been using Command FP for about a year; it had a few bugs but the support has been good and they are keen to hear of suggestions for improvements. Updates are free and advised for download from the subscriber site. Skip the Logbook and the additional waypoint databases. It also has full interaction with NAIPS (write your plan, click on NAIPS link and it gets the plan wx and inserts all the winds, then gives options for flight time vs cost etc); as well as giving a W&B chart, all applicable NOTAMs and printing a nav log. It has bunches of standard AC included, and adding extras is dead easy, as long as you have the basic AC data.
The licence includes loading it onto your home PC, a laptop and even a work PC. There is also a GPS interlink that allows you to write a plan and download it directly into a GPS.
Rating - 4 out of 5.
The licence includes loading it onto your home PC, a laptop and even a work PC. There is also a GPS interlink that allows you to write a plan and download it directly into a GPS.
Rating - 4 out of 5.
Join Date: May 2003
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Has anyone had any experience with Sentiant Softwares' product which actually enables you to print the charts off the computer with the track etc printed on the map. Not sure how much planning info it provides though.
Join Date: Jun 2003
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I've tried Sentient Software's AirNAV VFR, Champagne Software's FlightPlanner 2000 and the "fully featured" trial version of Command Flight Planner. I fly about 60% IFR, about half of my flying is for business.
None of the software packages do everything I want the way I want. I tend to use the AIS/MET Location Briefing from the AirServices site to get an more tailored briefing for my flight and en-route/destination alternates ( I find it easier than setting up an enquiry or SPFIB under the NAIPS program), I use FP 2000 for operational planning and "what-ifs",and NAIPS to lodge/edit the plans. I print briefings in Word, quickly editing out unnecessary info (e.g. I don't really care that the Australian Defence foces can't seem to get their charts right!!) - otherwise you can still get pages of bumph you don't need (remember how much fax paper you used with the old area forecasts and NOTAMS?)
AirNAV VFR is OK, but you'll find printing maps continually will be quite expensive compared to using a published chart. The planning is rudimentary and enough for simple VFR, but not sufficient for IFR. Map scrolling is unpredictable at times. Editing a saved flightplan is difficult and time consuming. I don't use it any more except to see where course lines go when they cross chart boundaries! This use will expire when my subscription does. There is also an annoying need to e-mail/phone to get a new security code every time your install new charts or change the program over to a new machine.
Command Flight Planner was OK, but I found the interface a little frustrating and there were bugs with some of the IFR stuff. Getting the automatic area winds etc to apply when flying legs over several ARFOR boundaries is nonsensical. Some folks love the program, and I liked it more than AirNAV VFR.
FP 2000 is compact enough to fit on a couple of floppies, has never fallen over on me and it is easy to edit flight plans afterwards. IFR features are supported but again, delays/aidwork and IFR routes are not easily implemented. FP 200 supports accurate modelling of your aircraft's Rate of Climb/Fuel Flow/TAS at varying altitudes - gives excellent fuel burn predictions/etc if set up well. It would be nice if flight planning mode more easily accepted location/aid abbreviations, but that's a minor quibble. This is the program I use most for operational planning.
Neither FP2000 or Command Flight Planner print out flight plan notes/log in a format that I can use easily in my aircraft, although Command Flight planner does have a fairly useful Jepps-style log printout that prints aid idents etc.
NAIPS Internet Service 3.02 is used mainly for briefing and lodging of flight plans.
When all else fails, the pen and paper is there for backup and takes only about 15 min longer depending on route, and is a lot cheaper than all of the above....the most useful computerised thing IMHO is the NAIPS/internet briefing and the ability to save and edit flight plans under NAIPS.....and costs only a download.
None of the software packages do everything I want the way I want. I tend to use the AIS/MET Location Briefing from the AirServices site to get an more tailored briefing for my flight and en-route/destination alternates ( I find it easier than setting up an enquiry or SPFIB under the NAIPS program), I use FP 2000 for operational planning and "what-ifs",and NAIPS to lodge/edit the plans. I print briefings in Word, quickly editing out unnecessary info (e.g. I don't really care that the Australian Defence foces can't seem to get their charts right!!) - otherwise you can still get pages of bumph you don't need (remember how much fax paper you used with the old area forecasts and NOTAMS?)
AirNAV VFR is OK, but you'll find printing maps continually will be quite expensive compared to using a published chart. The planning is rudimentary and enough for simple VFR, but not sufficient for IFR. Map scrolling is unpredictable at times. Editing a saved flightplan is difficult and time consuming. I don't use it any more except to see where course lines go when they cross chart boundaries! This use will expire when my subscription does. There is also an annoying need to e-mail/phone to get a new security code every time your install new charts or change the program over to a new machine.
Command Flight Planner was OK, but I found the interface a little frustrating and there were bugs with some of the IFR stuff. Getting the automatic area winds etc to apply when flying legs over several ARFOR boundaries is nonsensical. Some folks love the program, and I liked it more than AirNAV VFR.
FP 2000 is compact enough to fit on a couple of floppies, has never fallen over on me and it is easy to edit flight plans afterwards. IFR features are supported but again, delays/aidwork and IFR routes are not easily implemented. FP 200 supports accurate modelling of your aircraft's Rate of Climb/Fuel Flow/TAS at varying altitudes - gives excellent fuel burn predictions/etc if set up well. It would be nice if flight planning mode more easily accepted location/aid abbreviations, but that's a minor quibble. This is the program I use most for operational planning.
Neither FP2000 or Command Flight Planner print out flight plan notes/log in a format that I can use easily in my aircraft, although Command Flight planner does have a fairly useful Jepps-style log printout that prints aid idents etc.
NAIPS Internet Service 3.02 is used mainly for briefing and lodging of flight plans.
When all else fails, the pen and paper is there for backup and takes only about 15 min longer depending on route, and is a lot cheaper than all of the above....the most useful computerised thing IMHO is the NAIPS/internet briefing and the ability to save and edit flight plans under NAIPS.....and costs only a download.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Australia
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Used various windows based flight planners, Command, Flight Planner for Windows, and even MS Excel worksheets.
Best is the one that is in my $99 Palm m100 -- Co-Pilot by Laurie Davis. Works almost exactly like Flight Planner for Windows.
Worldwide database, you need to put in your own airplane performance data, comes with C172 and PA28, I put in Metro 23 and BAe146. Works fine.
I dont use the flight plan submission part -- easier to do that at the base computer.
Best part?
Fits in my pocket.
Second best part?
Absolutely FREE. Zip. Niente. $0.00. Gotta Love FREEWARE!
Used various windows based flight planners, Command, Flight Planner for Windows, and even MS Excel worksheets.
Best is the one that is in my $99 Palm m100 -- Co-Pilot by Laurie Davis. Works almost exactly like Flight Planner for Windows.
Worldwide database, you need to put in your own airplane performance data, comes with C172 and PA28, I put in Metro 23 and BAe146. Works fine.
I dont use the flight plan submission part -- easier to do that at the base computer. Can be done via the IrDA hookup with a mobile phone if I want.
Best part?
Fits in my pocket and runs on a device that uses 2x AAA batteries a month.
Second best part?
Absolutely FREE. Zip. Niente. $0.00. Gotta Love FREEWARE!
Best is the one that is in my $99 Palm m100 -- Co-Pilot by Laurie Davis. Works almost exactly like Flight Planner for Windows.
Worldwide database, you need to put in your own airplane performance data, comes with C172 and PA28, I put in Metro 23 and BAe146. Works fine.
I dont use the flight plan submission part -- easier to do that at the base computer.
Best part?
Fits in my pocket.
Second best part?
Absolutely FREE. Zip. Niente. $0.00. Gotta Love FREEWARE!
Used various windows based flight planners, Command, Flight Planner for Windows, and even MS Excel worksheets.
Best is the one that is in my $99 Palm m100 -- Co-Pilot by Laurie Davis. Works almost exactly like Flight Planner for Windows.
Worldwide database, you need to put in your own airplane performance data, comes with C172 and PA28, I put in Metro 23 and BAe146. Works fine.
I dont use the flight plan submission part -- easier to do that at the base computer. Can be done via the IrDA hookup with a mobile phone if I want.
Best part?
Fits in my pocket and runs on a device that uses 2x AAA batteries a month.
Second best part?
Absolutely FREE. Zip. Niente. $0.00. Gotta Love FREEWARE!
