FMS Management

[100m down/10,000m up]

Hello to all experienced FMS users!
Please help with the following information:

1. Who initializes and sets up a route (FO, PF, ...)?
2. How do you check SID and the route?
3. Who enters and executes the changes during the flight?

Much obliged.

[point8six]

It will vary, depending on the airlines' SOPs. You will find that operators of the same type will have different methods.

[Rainboe]

1- PNF while PF does walkaround
2- Expected SID is usually indicated on flight plan to be loaded. By listening to ATIS for runway in use, a guess at the SID to be used will be possible knowing direction flight takes. ATC clearance not normally obtained until 15 minutes to pushback. The route itself will be on the ATC flight plan on the PLOG
3- When A/P engaged, PF handles and executes route details, or requests PNF to do so. When handling, PF should not touch the FMS but request other pilot to do so

[G SXTY]

Pretty much as Rainboe says. The only other point is that whoever sets up the FMS, both pilots review the SID and route, comparing what's in the box with the plates and flight plan. The FMS is usually spot on, but it's not unknown for it to have a different route to the flight plan - which could be embarrassing . . .

[ahramin]

In regards to entering the SID, EUROCONTROL recommends that airlines not include a SID in the prepared flight plan and pilots not enter one until it is assigned. This is due to many and ongoing incidents of following the planned SID rather than the assigned one.

[Rainboe]

The route can be loaded, but it is standard procedure NOT to load a SID until ATC clearance has been obtained. Thus it would raise hackles if someone did it. One also does not preset first cleared SID altitude on the Mode Select Panel, instead leaving it at x900' (below expected first altitude) until ATC clearance is obtained. I think this is general for pretty well all airlines now.

[411A]

Now then, on a three-crew FD, while the Flight Engineer completes the external inspection (and keeps an eye on fuel servicing) the First Officer loads FMS data and checks same,
The Captain then does a quick check, as required.

This way....more time is available for the Captain to read the newspaper.
RHIP.

[NVpilot]

Who initializes and sets up a route (FO, PF, ...)?

At our company: The PF.

How do you check SID and the route?

By verifying all FMS route against the CFP or ICAO copy.

Who enters and executes the changes during the flight?

The FP.

[Rainboe]

Now then, on a three-crew FD, while the Flight Engineer completes the external inspection (and keeps an eye on fuel servicing) the First Officer loads FMS data and checks same,
The Captain then does a quick check, as required.

Now I see it like that, I realise how unjust life was! All those years of having to preflight and load 9 lat and long waypoints into the Carousel IVs, then discover that you'd forgotten to press the Remote button and you'd have to load them again, while a large rotund old Captain caught up on the Daily Telegraph........ now I am a larg(ish) old(ish) old Captain, and unfortunately I have to share all jobs. No justice in life!

[point8six]

Large Asian carrier:-
F/O does walk-around while Capt. does liason and tea/coffee orders with CC, and safety + scan checks. When F/O returns, both load and check FMS and calculate T/O performance figures.
(If F/O's sector then Capt. does walk-around on occasion - daylight and dry).

[Rainboe]

Captains never do walkarounds on 3 crew aircraft, and never in the rain!

A word of advice to copilots- never trust a Captain's TO performance calculation! Always do your own. Don't ever let him point at a number and say 'that's it!'. You can guarantee he will be looking at the wrong page! I used to be proud of my TO calcs. When I got promoted, it must be the weight of the extra ring on the shoulders that takes the blood from the head, but I started making balls ups, and now copilots zap through them in half the time.

[411A]

"...and now copilots zap through them in half the time."

Except, if they have to look at the AFM, as the runway analysis chart is missing/non-standard flap setting/different runway etc.
Reading the takeoff performance graph...all nine yards of it.
OMG, they say, so many lines.

I personally do these, to be SURE they are correct.
Then, F/O checks. followed by the Flight Engineer.

Guess who gets it right(usually)?
Yup, the guy with four bars.

[The Real Slim Shady]

PF loads the flight plan from the PLOG with the expected SID and STAR. The PLOG does not have SID and STAR waypoints but is calculated on the longest of each for fuel planning purposes.

Route is X checked from Flt Plan to FMC and total distance / time x checked as a gross error check.

In flight vertical modes on MCP are for PF; PM enters revision to laterals on FMC and executes after PF has x checked and verified.

No re-programming below 10 000ft in flight. If a SID change is given whilst the aircraft is taxiing the aircraft must be stationary, parking brake set before any changes are made to FMS.

For briefings, descent / approach set up etc PF hands control to PM, sets the systems up, briefs, then takes control back.

[speedrestriction]

I think it depends on the type of operation. PNF normally sets up the whole route including SID, Route, STAR (if any) and the expected approach. The mileage from the box is then compared with the PLOG. When the clearance is received both pilots confirm that it is corresponds to what is entered in the FMS. If the expected arrival/approach changes from the anticipated one then the FMS is reprogrammed by the PF as part of the approach briefing. PF remains in control of the aircraft throughout. PNF does all the FMS work whilst below FL100 or when AP is disengaged in flight.

[Flight Detent]

Errr...411A

But the Flight Engineer only has three bars!

I don't want to recall how many times the Flight Engineer had 'suggested' a small correction to the takeoff data card.

Ahhh... the memories!!

Cheers..FD..

[411A]

I don't want to recall how many times the Flight Engineer had 'suggested' a small correction to the takeoff data card.

Yes, sometimes true.
Now, the company presently has the Flight Engineer do the takeoff data card.
Trim sheet, too.

All problems solved.
Life is good.

[Eliason]

As has been said - a lot depends on the airline/FMS/SOPs...

For me:

1. Who initializes and sets up a route (FO, PF, ...)?
FO - while the Captain does the outside check (and yes - only the captain does it - even when it rains, snows, the wind is howling, ... )

2. How do you check SID and the route?
I either enter the SID along with the route or wait for the clearance. At our FMS to enter the SID takes about 10-30 seconds, depending on your speed.
Once I'm finished I usually copy the Flightplan to the captains FMS. He will check it against the OFP before we do the "Crew at Station" checklist.

3. Who enters and executes the changes during the flight?
Autopilot still off or u/s: PNF on order from PF. Autopilot engaged: PF

Take off data is done by the PF, more often though both look at the charts together.

[point8six]

As you will see from all the above replies, there are "many ways to skin a cat". The most important part of the FMS set-up is CROSS-CHECKING. Never be pressurised into skipping this vital action.