Flight plan optimization

[Big Picture]

Hello guys/gals,

I need some help looking for either a software package or a web site that could build a flight plan and profile for jet aircraft which optimizes fuel burn.

Let me explain. We are a pt. 91 domestic ops only operation. We use the flight planner on DUATS routinely. It works OK but leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to optimizing fuel burn for a particular trip. We can certainly try different altitudes or speeds using DUATS, but there's nothing on it which "solves" for an optimum fuel burn and flight profile. What I am looking for is a program which has the performance data of my aircraft loaded into it and then based upon current winds and temps, solves for the most efficient speeds and altitudes for the trip.

Does such a thing exist? I know Jeppesen has a product but from their web site it sounds more like a flight planner and not as much of an optimizer. Maybe I'm wrong. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

BP

 

[wtrav8r]

Try www.fltplan.com

I use it on the Astra Jet, and find that it is very accurate. There are many other features also: WX, Charts, Stored Routes, pax brief

 

[H.Agenda]

He's right fltplan.com is great across the board even for a small time PC12 driver like me.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Hello guys/gals,

I need some help looking for either a software package or a web site that could build a flight plan and profile for jet aircraft which optimizes fuel burn.

Let me explain. We are a pt. 91 domestic ops only operation. We use the flight planner on DUATS routinely. It works OK but leaves a bit to be desired when it comes to optimizing fuel burn for a particular trip. We can certainly try different altitudes or speeds using DUATS, but there's nothing on it which "solves" for an optimum fuel burn and flight profile. What I am looking for is a program which has the performance data of my aircraft loaded into it and then based upon current winds and temps, solves for the most efficient speeds and altitudes for the trip.

Does such a thing exist? I know Jeppesen has a product but from their web site it sounds more like a flight planner and not as much of an optimizer. Maybe I'm wrong. Any thoughts?

Thanks,

BP

While fltplann.com is good, it does not do what your looking for. I used Jeppesens jetplan.com for a while, it's $$ but will optimize for altitude ,winds and routing. I am using Flite Star now, it cost less and will gives you a variety of planning options including optimizing the route for winds. The down side is it is a pc system not internet.

 

[HMR]

I'm a huge fan of Flightsoft. LeadSled turned me on to it 2 years ago. It's PC based but plugs into the internet for temps, winds, etc. It shows altitudes for both "best time" and "best fuel burn" on any given route.

 

[Blackjet]

While fltplann.com is good, it does not do what your looking for. I used Jeppesens jetplan.com for a while, it's $$ but will optimize for altitude ,winds and routing. I am using Flite Star now, it cost less and will gives you a variety of planning options including optimizing the route for winds. The down side is it is a pc system not internet.

Fltplan.com does in fact do that. When you click on "Nav Log", it brings up your selected altitude and 4 additioanl altitudes that are applicable to your flight. It gives you TAS, ETE, Average trip winds, and if you have filled in the burn data for each altitude, it'll give you burns and the log will give you leg and cumlative burns for your selected altitide. All you have to do is look at the data right in front of you and look at the burns and ETEs. It does not get much simpler than that, especially for free!! Great program.

 

[jrod]

I've used both Jepp FliteStar and fltplan.com and both work well. FliteStar is a little better imho, but it all depends on how accurate your a/c model is for both fltplan and flitestar. There are many a/c models available for download for flitestar or you can build your own in either program. Unless I'm really pushing the limits (heavy weights or long range trips), I use fltplan and it does a great job. If you're a perfectionist, you can even have Jepp build you a model for your aircraft for Flitestar. At a cost of course.

You really can't go wrong with either. They're both better than DUATS.

 

[G100driver]

Airinc Direct and Universal can provide the same service on line.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Fltplan.com does in fact do that. When you click on "Nav Log", it brings up your selected altitude and 4 additioanl altitudes that are applicable to your flight. It gives you TAS, ETE, Average trip winds, and if you have filled in the burn data for each altitude, it'll give you burns and the log will give you leg and cumlative burns for your selected altitide. All you have to do is look at the data right in front of you and look at the burns and ETEs. It does not get much simpler than that, especially for free!! Great program.

Fltplan will not pick a route optimized for the best winds, it only supplies info for what you put in as a route and going direct is not always the best. I have used fltplan from its inception, but if you want a flight planning tool that will optimize a route based on a set of parameters fltplan is not it. With Flitestar and others you have the ability to pick different climb schedules and different cruise mach speeds depending on your airplane.

 

[SabreFlyR]

I've used both Jepp FliteStar and fltplan.com and both work well. FliteStar is a little better imho, but it all depends on how accurate your a/c model is for both fltplan and flitestar. There are many a/c models available for download for flitestar or you can build your own in either program. Unless I'm really pushing the limits (heavy weights or long range trips), I use fltplan and it does a great job. If you're a perfectionist, you can even have Jepp build you a model for your aircraft for Flitestar. At a cost of course.

You really can't go wrong with either. They're both better than DUATS.

Same here, if we are pushing our little Beechjet to the limit I use Flitestar, for everyday run of the mill trips I use Fltplan.

 

[SabreFlyR]

Airinc Direct and Universal can provide the same service on line.

Yep, used Universal for awhile. Jeppesen made me a good deal on FliteStar when I renewed our Jeppview service a couple months ago.

Jeez guess I coulda combined all these into one post insted of three.:beer:

 

[Blackjet]

Fltplan will not pick a route optimized for the best winds, it only supplies info for what you put in as a route and going direct is not always the best. I have used fltplan from its inception, but if you want a flight planning tool that will optimize a route based on a set of parameters fltplan is not it. With Flitestar and others you have the ability to pick different climb schedules and different cruise mach speeds depending on your airplane.

My bad. I see what you are saying. I simply misunderstood. As for the climb schedules and Mach cruise speeds, I have entered in Fltplan.com 2 different profiles for climbs in the airplane I fly. 1 for a fast climb (though I never do that one) and another for a slower climb and better forward speed. That tends to work well for me, but a drop down menu would be a little nicer so one could just select the type of climb they are going to perform. Is there a sample or trial version of Flitestar?

 

[SabreFlyR]

My bad. I see what you are saying. I simply misunderstood. As for the climb schedules and Mach cruise speeds, I have entered in Fltplan.com 2 different profiles for climbs in the airplane I fly. 1 for a fast climb (though I never do that one) and another for a slower climb and better forward speed. That tends to work well for me, but a drop down menu would be a little nicer so one could just select the type of climb they are going to perform. Is there a sample or trial version of Flitestar?

Call Jeppesen they'll give it to you free for a 30 day trial. Hopefully one day FltPlan will be able to let us upload info for different profiles also.

 

[Learsforsale]

Call Jeppesen they'll give it to you free for a 30 day trial. Hopefully one day FltPlan will be able to let us upload info for different profiles also.

We manage a G-IV and use Jepp's jetplan.com to do all of the planning. After a brief walkthough it is very easy to use and quite powerful. The customer service is great too. I had the whole team working with me one Friday night trying to get a heavy non RVSM G-IV over to Shannon on an ISA+18 night.

 

[SheGaveMeClap]

Deleted.

 

[falconpilot]

How much better does it need to be? Fltplan.com works great. If your only flying domestic, I dont understand how you can do any better than fltplan.com. Fly the most direct route, look at the winds aloft, climb as high as you can..... etc.. I just dont see how there is anything better.. If you are flying Intl... Thats a whole different story.

 

[KingAir1985]

How much better does it need to be? Fltplan.com works great. If your only flying domestic, I dont understand how you can do any better than fltplan.com. Fly the most direct route, look at the winds aloft, climb as high as you can..... etc.. I just dont see how there is anything better.. If you are flying Intl... Thats a whole different story.

Falconpilot....just because you have a real job now, it does not make you cool! Hey.........Boy!