Newsletter - October 21st, 2009
Color Coding on Calendar and Active Flight Plan List
Maybe you've noticed the various colors that shade the flights on your Active Flight Plan list, but didn't know what they meant. They're just one more way that FltPlan.com makes things easier.
The colors on the calendar and flight plan list correspond to the relative date of the flight. The color of your flight will be -
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Pink if the flight is today
Yellow if the flight is tomorrow
Green if the flight is in two days
Blue if the flight is three or more days in the future
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Example of color coding on Active Flight Plan List: Pink is today, yellow tomorrow, green in two days, blue if more than two days.
This allows you to see easily whether or not you've entered the correct date for your flight. It also groups the flights by day for at-a-glance viewing.
If You Fly in RVSM Airspace - You Need to Read This!
We have now heard of several FAA investigations into pilot deviations for flying into RVSM airspace without RVSM certification.
How does this happen to jet pilots that know the rules and fly above FL290 all the time?
The usual scenario is that the aircraft for the flight is pending RVSM certification, or (for whatever reasons -owner change, maintenance etc.) the aircraft is no longer RVSM certified.
The pilot, knowing this, files for an altitude below RVSM airspace.
Somewhere along the flight, a controller issues a clearance to climb to FL310 for traffic, and the pilot complies.
The pilot is now subject to an FAA violation for flying into RVSM airspace in an uncertified aircraft.
Why this is a pilot deviation?
The pilot had his equipment listed as RVSM capable on the flight plan. (A W on your equipment list for ICAO Format, or /J, /K, /L, /Q, /W on a Domestic format flight plan.)
If you have yourself listed as being RVSM certified on your filed flight plan, then the controller controls you based on this information.
Protect yourself.
1.) If your aircraft is not currently certified for flying in RVSM airspace, then remove the RVSM checkmark from your A/C ICAO Data section (or from the Change or Add Aircraft section for Domestic format). FltPlan.com will automatically give you a warning if you file above FL280.
2.) If your aircraft is not RVSM certified, make sure you do not have the letter W in your equipment list (equip: top left side of the NavLog).
3.) If asked to climb above FL280 and you are not RVSM certified, re-confirm that the controller knows you are not RVSM certified, and verify that he is still clearing you to a higher altitude.
4.) Filing for an altitude below FL290, or putting a comment in the REMARKS section of the Flight Plan that you are not RVSM capable, does not protect you if you go into RVSM airspace without an explicit acknowledgment from the controller that he is clearing you to fly in RVSM airspace without RVSM certification.
Count on FltPlan.com for Winds Aloft Information
At FltPlan.com we strive to give you the most accurate, up-to-date information possible.
Our Winds Aloft information is no exception.
Winds Aloft information can be found on the NavLog, and expanded winds aloft information can be viewed in our Winds Aloft Matrix by clicking the button at the bottom of your NavLog and on our Weather Page.
When you check the Winds Aloft Matrix, you'll find that it is set up for Fixes (left hand column) and Altitudes (across the top).
You'll get the following information within each matrix box:
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1) Wind direction and speed. ( i.e. 270/30, which would mean the winds are from 270 degrees at 30 knots)
2) ISA (International Standard Atmosphere) temperature is the deviation from standard temperature at this altitude and fix. i.e. +3 means the temperature is 3 warmer than standard, -8 means the temperature is 8 degrees less than standard.
The number in brackets next to ISA is the standard temperature at the associated altitude.
3) Comp is the Wind Component. + means tailwind and - means headwind. (i.e. + 24 means a 24 knot tailwind)
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On the NavLog, four different altitudes are displayed.
On our Winds Aloft Matrix you can get up to 10 different altitudes of winds for along your route of flight.
Which winds data do we use?
Forecast winds data is available up to 36 hours in advance. From 36 to 72 hours in advance we'll give you the winds at 36 hours. For Domestic flights more than 72 hours in advance, we use historical winds aloft data for that date.
Please see September's article on FltPlan.com's 90% probability winds Click Here for Article.
For International flights, we use the closest matching winds forecast to the time of your flight.
As a note, any time you display the NavLog, FltPlan.com gives you the most current winds data available based on the criteria listed above.
Canadian and Mexican VORs
FltPlan.com is still growing! Our flight planning database now includes all Canadian and Mexican VORs. We also provide most Canadian intersections. In addition, our database includes all Canadian and Mexican airports that have at least one hard surface runway with an instrument approach.
FltPlan.com Mobile now works with the AT&T BlackBerry Browser
There is no longer a need to download Opera Mini for AT&T BlackBerrys. FltPlan.com Mobile is now working without any problems on the AT&T BlackBerry Browser.
The BlackBerry Mobile site is located at http://www.FltPlan.com/bb.htm.
For more information please visit
http://FltTrack.FltPlan.com/MobileInfo.htm.
FltPlan.com mobile version works on just about all smartphones (PDAs).
Here's the listing:
FltPlan.com On Twitter
Follow us on Twitter for up-to-date information on busiest airports, most used aircraft, and more. www.twitter.com/FltPlan
Thanks for using FltPlan.com
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