Jepp Flight Planning.....thing

[minitour]

Back in the day, someone told me to get this Jepp flight planning software that had a lot of neato thingys.

It had like a weight and balance "program" with all sorts of pre-programmed planes where all you had to do was key in the numbers.

I'm looking for something that I can put in my laptop and take with me to the airport to make preflight a little easier.

Anyone know which one this is? They've got like 4 different programs and I'm not sure which one I'm looking for. I can't see myself doing a lot of VFR flying after I get my instrument ticket, but occasionally I'll want to jump in a 152 and go so if I could get a program with VFR and IFR capability that would be super.

Thanks in advance for any help and info.

-mini

PS
If you have any other suggestions thats cool too.

 

[Pugh]

If you are an AOPA member, you can download their flight planner, which is made by Jeppessen. I'm not sure if it has all the functionality you need, but thats one option.

 

[seethru]

What you are looking for is Jeppesen's Flightstar. We've been using it for a couple of years now and it is a nice program.

You can download all kinds of aircraft profiles, or make your own custom one. Route planning is pretty simple, plus it will check the weather and file your flight plan for you.

There are several levels to choose from (VFR, IFR, and Corporate).

The AOPA planner is pretty basic. It's great for a free snapshot of your route, but its not as highly functional as the Flightstar program. Plus, you don't have to be connected to the interenet to use Flightstar.

Clear skies.

Greg

 

[minitour]

WayBack

You may be right. I may be trying to over-simplify things and just complicating them. The pen/paper thing seems to be working so far...maybe I should just stick to that.

I did kinda like the integrated weight and balance data though...that was kinda neat. Although it takes what like 10 seconds to do a weight and balance?

Good tip.

-mini

 

[350DRIVER]

The Jeppesen Flightstar is well done... I don't think AOPA's program even comes close in my opinion. As with most things that Jeppesen does they did this software program top notch. If you are binded for time and want something that is reliable then you will not be disappointed with Jepp.

You get what you pay for.

good luck,

3 5 0

 

[minitour]

I'm not picking up the sarcasm there if there is any.
I'm not attacking you. I just see these guys with way too many toys and devices to help them do things the fastest easiest way. By the time they have it pulled out, turns on, loaded up, type all the info in, then process it....the pen and paper is done with.
Ontop of that, if you're going to be making a career as a pilot....why waste all that money on it, when you will soon have no money to pay it off.
I guess im just upset because someone stole my binoculars that tell me how high the clouds are, in relation to me.

I think you misunderstood me. I actually think you might be right.

I tend to complicate things in an attempt to make things too simple (if that makes sense).

Sometimes just doing it simple (pen/paper) is the better way to go. The weight and balance thing is probably just as easy for me to do real quick with a pencil and paper too.

Seriously I think that was a great tip (to just keep it simple). No sarcasm intended...all serious.

-mini

 

[minitour]

No problem...I see how it coulda been taken that way.

Like I said, I tend to over-complicate things...

Like NDB approaches - who woulda thunk they could be so darn easy!

No worries!

-mini

 

[PropsForward]

Jeppesen's FlightStar/FlightMap is very cool. I use it on my tablet PC. It is your basic flight planner with a zillion bells and whistles. It will use preferred routes, and/or route you around airspace you want to avoid. It shows the TFR's on the map and with a right-click, you get the scoop on them.

Probably the neatest feature that I like about it is the weather overlay. Once you plan your flight you go to a weather tab and download the weather from DUATS. You can then put the latest radar image over your route to see where the weather is in relationship to your route. It also interprets the text briefing and displays the airmets, sigmets, etc on the map. Right click an airport and get the METAR (No TAF yet, have to goto the weather tab for that, bummer). The profile view of your trip will display cloud layers, MEA's, and arrows depict whether you have a headwind or tailwind. Very cool.



If you run FlightMap, you can hook a GPS to it and you having a moving map display. An



There are a few things that Jeppesen still needs to fix. No TAF's on the airport page is a tragic loss, hopefully they will incorporate that into the next update. The software also does a piss poor job of saving your settings and how you have all this wonderful information laid out. The best work around that I have been able to come up with is to delete the flightstar.ini file from windows. Open flightstar setup the display the way I like it and exit. It is good for a couple of weeks then it screws up again.

The last pesky item that annoys the crap out of me is in moving map mode if you do a lot of zooming in and out and around, etc. The software tends to get a bit upset and locks up. This happed a lot when I first got it and was "learning" the software, and have let up a good bit; partly because I know not to dork with the view excessively.



The manual that comes with it sucks. As does most computer software manuals.



Overall I would rate the software a 7 or 8. Very nice but still has some growing to do. I do recommend it.



I also use JeppView. Same/similar bugs as FlightMap, and no weather. It is actually a stripped down version of FlightStar/FlightMap, the main purpose of JeppView is the approach plates. JeppView also prints "legal" charts.



See Ya!

 

[gfvalvo]

VFR vs IFR

...... I can't see myself doing a lot of VFR flying after I get my instrument ticket, but occasionally I'll want to jump in a 152 .....

Wait until ATC jerks you around a few times with circuitous IFR routings. Especially in high density airspace near Class B airports. For us low and slow piston drivers, VFR is the way to go anytime it's safe to do so (notice I said "safe", not "legal"). I'm based in NJ and the NY / Philly controllers are usually very accommodating with VFR Class B requests (as long as you sound like you know what you're doing. Chicago is a different story.). For IFR however, the routings might as well be written in stone and more often than not you can expect a long loop around the Class B.



By the way, what do folks think of the criticism that ATC seems to be more worried about separating airplanes from AIRSPACE rather than airplanes from AIRPLANES? Any controllers care to weigh in?

 

[sonofaeagle]

www.flightprep.com

Download Golden Eagle. It has the weather overlay and lots of neat features. Plus its free. You'll need a highspeed connection to download. If you don't email [email protected] and they'll send you a cd-rom with the program and a tutorial. Provide name, mailing address, and phone number.

I work support on this program along with the rest of the duats software and website. I've posted this before. Any questions I'll help.