Heli Charter Calculator
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,735
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From: Used to be God's own County
Heli Charter Calculator
Has anyone devised a spreadshhet that will calculate a Heli Charter quote?
Completed one that converts the distance/time into actual costs and will include landing fees (and London Heliport's extra charges)etc but it still requires ops to physically measure the distance between HLSs. Trying to devise a way of linking the numerous Flt Planning software into the spreadsheet.
Anyone any ideas, or do we all still use a piece of string?
The aim of the spreadsheet is to 'dumb down' the quoting procedure so anyone who picks up the 'phone can provide a prompt and accurate charter quote.
Completed one that converts the distance/time into actual costs and will include landing fees (and London Heliport's extra charges)etc but it still requires ops to physically measure the distance between HLSs. Trying to devise a way of linking the numerous Flt Planning software into the spreadsheet.
Anyone any ideas, or do we all still use a piece of string?
The aim of the spreadsheet is to 'dumb down' the quoting procedure so anyone who picks up the 'phone can provide a prompt and accurate charter quote.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Piece of string definately!
You could build an .xls file which you would have to build up by entering Lat/Lon of each HLS in (in decimals) and then it could work out the distance (as the crow/helicopter flies). It would, as a result, be quite a text heavy file though. Can't be that difficult though... It's all pythagoras at the end of the day!
Most operators use a variation of the string/map and quoting software.
You could build an .xls file which you would have to build up by entering Lat/Lon of each HLS in (in decimals) and then it could work out the distance (as the crow/helicopter flies). It would, as a result, be quite a text heavy file though. Can't be that difficult though... It's all pythagoras at the end of the day!
Most operators use a variation of the string/map and quoting software.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 5
From: uk
You could always do what a few charter companies seem to do. Move the desk and chair closer to the map and string (with mandatory small toy helicopter attached to end of string). Work out the distance/time bit roughly in your head, then add on about half an hour. With that figure, ie £800, round that up to the nearest thousand. Landing / waiting/ fees etc are extras.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
String is best, but you could try some ordnance survey/gps software that can output a result in nm and use Windoze' ability to cut and paste from one program to another (look for Paste special), in this case excel. Some programs support it, some don't, but the big thing to watch is that the link breaks if the files move afterwards.
The only quote spreadsheet I have around is for contracts, but you're welcome to it if you want to fiddle.
Phil
The only quote spreadsheet I have around is for contracts, but you're welcome to it if you want to fiddle.
Phil
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: Ask the voices!
Glad to see you are still working at it EESDL!!
Had a thought about it, you tend to do a lot of quotes to the same place, even if you could start off with a database of the most common distances that are asked for, and just build on it, it would be a start!
Drop me a mail, let me know how you are getting on:- [email protected].
Had a thought about it, you tend to do a lot of quotes to the same place, even if you could start off with a database of the most common distances that are asked for, and just build on it, it would be a start!
Drop me a mail, let me know how you are getting on:- [email protected].
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,931
Likes: 142
From: Warrington, UK
The Ordnance Survey Interactive Atlas (PC CD-ROM)may be of some use. Covers the whole of mainland UK at various scales, albeit in a road map style. However, it gives the ability to click on a start point and any turning points, giving leg distances and total distance (note: in Kms and statute miles only). It also gives the co-ords of the cursor in UK grid or Lat and Long.
Available from Focus Multimedia on 01889 570156
Available from Focus Multimedia on 01889 570156
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Stick with the string,it is foolproof!. How many PC programs (especially non-aviation or home-grown) will plot a course for you around Danger / Prohibited / Restricted Areas? Straight lines are the order of the day. Look for example at Luton - Gatwick. Could you do that in a straight line, single-engined?
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 562
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From: Grobelling through the murk to the sunshine above.
In order to add a little to take route-restrictions into account you are probably better off using a road-based programme such as Autoroute Express to give you the distance. This also has a good database of place names, which are what most customer use, rather than OS Grids.
