Flight Operation Centre Danur Version 1.2.5

Transcription

1 AVSIM Commercial Utility Review Flight Operation Centre Danur Version Publisher: Danur Computer Flight Systems Product Information Description: Flight Planner for FS2004/FS2002 Download Size: 22.1 MB Developer: Urs Wildermuth, Heinz Oetiker, Simon Hradecky Note: Includes freeware NAT PLOT created by Bob Raemer Reviewed by: Jean-Claude Bailly AVSIM Staff Reviewer Introduction The Danur Flight Operation Centre (F.O.C) has been on the market for a few years already, used by the serious enthusiasts as the advertisement says Indeed, if you are as passionate for your flight preparation as for your flights, you might want to understand what FOC can offer. The learning curve is steep and demands a respectable time (so does the normal usage), but ultimately your ability to prepare the most detailed flight and operational plans there are in the flight simming world today will be your reward. So if you are in the habit to rush through your flight prep, and enjoy a software requiring a click on the departure airport, another on the destination with a single click file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (1 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

2 for the routing and are happy with the results, just don t read any further, this programme may not likely suit you. On another hand, if your taste for real world accuracy, curiosity and willingness to learn what the pro use for their dispatch tasks pushes you to read on, you will not be disappointed. Many software (even MSFS versions in the past) used pro as a qualitative suffix to define an upmarket or complex product. Danur refrained from that, but FOC would undoubtedly deserve this qualification, as it is in fact a reduction of a professional flight operation planning software. That sets the stage for what will follow, do not expect what we call intuitive usage of this programme. Be warned, the 78 page manual is a must read before you click on the start icon of Danur F.O.C.! Download and Installation The download is made directly from the site, it is only 22.1 MB, and the installation is straightforward following the on screen instructions. Registration is done on the site, create your user name and password, and pay for the required services. Services with an s because you have several packages to choose from: Weather Centre Standard version - 36,00 (within EU), 30,00 (outside EU) Full global functionality including subscription for 3 months of online weather. Weather Centre Enhanced version (within EU), (outside EU) Full global functionality including subscription for 12 months of online weather. Weather Centre Update from FOC (within EU), (outside EU) Upgrade from FOC to full global weather center functionality. Current online weather subscription remains unmodified. Subscription Online-Weather 12 Months for FOC and WXC (within EU), (outside EU) Subscribe Online-Weather for FOC and/or WXC for another 12 months. Navigational Data Subscriptions for one year Monthly subscription (12 issues) ( incl. VAT) Among the options offered are the weather online service (NOAA Upper Winds METAR and TAF) and the Navigational database updates. Although those prices may look stiff at first glance, both services are provided by professional organisations to Danur (ARINC come from ADS used by some well known airlines) and converted into formats used by FOC. There is no possibility to use other sources such as the popular Navdata site for example. At this stage one must decide for both services or none. If you already have a software such as Active Sky, a weather subscription to FOC may not necessarily be redundant, since you will need weather information (a) for your enroute flight planning computation, otherwise your plans will remain with zero wind (unless you copy winds aloft from another weather utility manually into the Winds aloft editor), and (b) you will receive the daily NAT and PAC OTS tracks as part of that weather package. Do note that a three-month free subscription is offered with the standard software, so that weather service decision can be postponed after a free trial period. Regarding the ARINC cycle subscription, the choice may be more sensitive: if you are used to flying with updated navigational data on all your add-on airplanes, the decision may be to update once your FOC database and stick to it with the same update on all your add-ons so as to avoid the steep 99 annual charge. Initially the downloaded software uses the FS9 year 2003 navdata library. First Leg...Learn! As implied before, unless you are a professional flight planner, there is no short cut to jump on the click button trying your luck in making your first flight planning, this is the best way to get frustrated and discouraged. The documentation is abundant but lacks in details though, you quickly realise that this programme was written by pros, they knew what they were doing and did it well, but somewhat overlooked the fact that most users won t have the knowledge to follow their train of thoughts easily in the process. A tutorial would be welcome. I tried to figure a way to describe, in a summarised form, the various capabilities of this Flight Operation Centre and came up with a synoptic chart as follows: Danur FOC Chart file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (2 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

3 Now that you have the big picture, let s get into the details of this product to see how it performs. The Flight Router My first attempt was to create a simple flight plan from Sao Paulo to Santiago de Chile. The first phase is straightforward, following the sequence of actions as listed in the table above, type in departure and destination airports (ICAO or IATA format), and select SID and STAR which will best suit our route today according to the weather. For this, we will have downloaded the TAFs and METARs directly with the software. This done, let s make sure the SID ends and the STAR starts on an airway, and launch the MTT (minimum time track) autorouter after inputting type of aircraft (choice of Heavy jet down to Light prop), time of departure, flight level capabilities, speed and weather file to be used, if any, or Zero Wind. Minimum Time Track Options In a matter of seconds, the route is proposed. To review this routing, IFR enroute charts will have to be handy. Various simulation and real world aviation Internet sites offer them free of charge on line. Although one can add VORs, NDBs, Intersections and Airports to the (small) chart shown on that window, you cannot call airways, thus it is impossible to assess the accuracy of the proposed planning unless you compare it with an IFR enroute chart. This brings up the necessity of having a set of charts of the same cycle as your FOC and Add-on airplanes. As an aside note, when one adds the navigational facilities to the chart, the computing power is eaten up in such a way that any usage of the map becomes quite difficult. file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (3 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

4 Flight Plan Map Flight Plan Map with VOR Main Route Editor The proposed routings would fit the airway requirements and Great Circle (there is an indication showing the percentage over the Great Circle route, 100% being the GC itself), but also and this is terribly important on long hauls FOC will integrate the winds aloft in its computation, provided of course you subscribe to the weather online service or input the Upper Winds manually in the editor. On limited occurrences did I have to make corrections to save a few miles, but in fairness, I found the MTT to be quite effective in most cases. My understanding is that this tool is still work in progress (as indicated on the tool itself). Should we prefer making our routing manually, we can of course insert all the waypoints we desire, type in the ICAO name of it, and Enter, the programme will offer a choice of waypoints corresponding to this identification.. In some cases, I could not save my routes without adding missing links between STAR and destination airport, since STAR don t always end on the RWY but at a fix from where we are vectored by ATC. Once the FP is saved, it is added to the database of available FP which can be reused and or amended according to new weather or routing conditions for future flights. NAT or PAC OTS The daily tracks are downloaded with the weather files and can be imported on the NAT PLOT freeware created by Bob Raemer included in the package to visualise the entry, waypoints and exit points of the day. This is neat and well thought of. NAT Daily Info OTS Route Tool NAT PLOT by Bob Raemer ROPES/STOPS Operation Planning To identify airports located within the corresponding ranges (STOPS or EROPS) to which the aircraft we intend to fly belongs, I would recommend using the NAT PLOT software again, since we can import on it our intended FOC flight plan. Once this is accomplished, we list those deviations in our EROPS/STOPS file and save it. This file will be utilised file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (4 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

5 by the programme during the final computation to ascertain that all deviations are within the limits. EROPS/STOPS Planner Trunk Routes If your flights originate from the same airport(s), it may be wise to create sets of trunk routes IN and OUT of these airports to/from a NAT entry point for example, this will save you time in your future planning. Building such trunk routes is similar to a normal flight planning, except that origins (in the case of inbound trunks) or destinations (for outbound trunks) are replaced by a waypoint. The MTT autorouter can be used in the same manner as described before. You can then retrieve those trunks with your OTS tool in which you can combine NAT and Trunks to complete a flight in one go. On occasions, I had a tough time making this work I must say, as some waypoints were not found in the database and trunk routes were not always added leaving me with no option but do it the old fashion way, manually This is where I wish the manual would be a little more precise, no doubt that an experienced user can go through with no difficulty, but it is challenging and frustrating at first, when you know that you are missing a small key and you can t figure what it is even after multiple RTFunnyM! Trunk Route Editor file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (5 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

6 The Scheduler With this tool, we can create our own airline schedule, exactly as a professional dispatcher would do, for weekly and daily workloads. This template shows all flights already scheduled (FOC has quite a number of flights saved in and out of LSZH, home base of Urs Wildermuth) to which we can add our own with the relevant information: Airline, type of aircraft, departure and destination airports, time, days of operation, flight number, Scheduled/Non scheduled/ Temporary flights. If you have a hard time deciding which flight you want to undertake today before starting FS9, just have a look at the FOC scheduler, chances are that you will find what you want at the time you need it. Of course, before reaching that stage, you will progressively build up your own database of flights A fun tool which brings you closer to the real world and can become addictive. Scheduler Operational planning Flight selection From the Active Flight window, we see what flights are available for the day and can select one directly from the list: Enter alternate(s) up to two there is an option to fly to the second alternate via the first one, or directly, evidently the fuel load will be calculated accordingly. Alternate Selection (bottom left) Weather The weather download would come as the next step so as to ascertain SID to be used and winds aloft. file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (6 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

7 Weather and Navdata Dowload Tool Two weather editors are available if required: the first one to input saved weather files according to the time of the day, the second to edit the Upper Winds, allowing an unlimited number of manual combinations or import of wind data from previous files, at defined FL, Lat and Lon. One can then change the temperature, speed and direction of wind for each desired location. These are very useful and powerful tools if one wishes to tailor-make weather on a specific route, or if you are patient enough - to transfer manually wind information provided by another weather utility so as to include this data in the FOC computation. Upper Wind Editor Step climbs In the Flight and Cruise section we either feed in our step climbs manually or let the programme do it using the performance tables of the airplane we fly with, and after selecting the desired cruise mode. Fuel The Fuel section authorises any combination one wishes. For example, we may opt for Minimum fuelling (just what you need for that route and alternates) or Economic fuelling (if the fuel is cheap at that airport, just fill er up as much as the Max Take off and Landing Weight permit!), indicate optionally how much fuel we want remaining in our tanks at the end of the flight, or make a calculation with the actual fuel we have already on board. Company, Holding and Taxi fuel quantities are inserted at pilot s discretion. Weight and balance A straightforward input of pax number and weights (in Kg or Lbs depending on the plane used, the unit used is shown at the top of the table), determining whether our plane remains in the limitations (the same are part of the aircraft file described at the end of this review). In my opinion, the unit used could be highlighted a tad better to avoid mistakes by oversight (at least when using the tool initially), it is easy to get caught inputting Kg instead of Lbs and vice versa since the unit is aircraft file dependant and not user s choice and will change from one aircraft to the other. Being a European programme, it is not surprising to find that many aircraft files are in Kg, so if you used to the North American Lbs and Kg don t make sense to you, be sure to have your converter handy. Winds aloft The final input will be the upper winds with a choice of (a) fix values to be defined by the user, (b) amended values file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (7 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

8 as seen before, (c) actual values (with weather download service). FOC Calculation Calculation of Final Flight Plan and Operation A single click will compute the complete detailed flight operation planning and deliver a wealth of information on the following pages: 1. Short Flight Plan a. Fuel calculation: i. Enroute quantity and time ii. Alternate 1 quantity and time iii. Alternate 2 (same as above when applicable) b. Weight and Balance i. Zero Fuel Weight ii. Take Off Fuel iii. Take Off Weight iv. Fuel used In Flight v. Landing Weight vi. Fuel Remaining c. Notes i. Comparison in % of Great Circle routing with actual ii. Alternate(s) included in the calculation iii. Winds aloft information used for the calculation iv. STOPS/EROPS calculation d. Abbreviated Routing e. Flight profile (step climbs) file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (8 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

9 A Short Flight Plan 2. Detailed flight plan. This is the section we will want to print since it contains all the information to be used during the flight. Basically the data of the short flight plan is found on this page too, in addition the detailed flight route filled up by the pilot in flight with exact waypoint timings and fuel checks, as well as winds aloft update for each waypoint coordinates. A Detailed Flight Plan Winds Aloft on Flight Plan 3. STOPS/EROPS calculation. This table recaps a detailed analysis of our flight with each diversion airport listed in our STOPS/EROPS file saved earlier. In case of any out of range situation, it will be shown there (see screenshot, the first diversion airport is out of range). A table worth printing for in-flight references should any situation go the wrong way STOPS/EROPS Flight Plan Page. Note out of range warning. 4. ATC Flight plan as filed with ATC file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (9 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

10 ATC Flight Plan 5. Metar and TAF METAR and TAF On that output window, we can call the map with the actual flight route to review it one last time, but, obviously, it cannot be corrected any more unless we go through the whole process again. When satisfied with the results, we release the flight so as to make it available for a transfer to MSFS and by to anyone we wish, using the FOC mailer within the programme. This is certainly a useful feature for virtual airlines dispatchers whose pilots are all equipped with FOC. FOC Flight Plan Mailer Flight Plan Transfer to Microsoft Flight Simulator and Other Programmes We now reached the stage where our flight plan is ready to be used and can be transferred to FS9 or earlier version file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (10 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

11 (up to FS2000), as well as Aerowinx PS 1.3 and ACSGPS or EFIS 98. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no export tools to add-on aircrafts such as PMDG (one can use the freeware programme pln2rte written by Alan Chan available at AVSIM to convert FS9 pln to PMDG rte format), or LDS 767 and eventually FSNav (so as to be able to use its moving map). Any add-on using the FS9 format i.e. PSS and F1 ATR, for example, can obviously be used without further transfer or conversion. When loading our flight in FS, we will find our FOC plan available in the FS saved routes starting with the airline ICAO three-letter code. The FOC flight plan converted to the MSFS format is of course accessible on your FS kneeboard in case you prefer not to print it, but be aware that those numerous details mentioned before will be missing (that would be a shame!),. Flight Plan Transferred to FS9 Flight Plan Received in FS9 Flight Plan Transferred in PSS 777 FMC FOC FP Transferred to MD11 (Alain Capt panel) For pilots using FS 2002 and 2000, this utility will allow the creation of flight adventures. FS Adventures Transfer file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (11 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

12 PBR and In Flight Planning Both options to recalculate your planning are available when needed: PBR (Planning Based on Re-clearance) and In Flight planning, they may become handy when your flight hits some nasty situations. In-Flight Planner PBR Planner Aircraft Editor I have to confess that it is the only feature which I avoided using (understand: creating an aircraft file) as it is a lengthy and detailed process requiring not only time, but a lot of data not always available to the average simmer. Taking a cursory look at all those threatening tables will make many shy away from this exercise. But thanks to many FOC patient and passionate owners, several user s edit are available free of charge at the Danur Forum for the latest PMDG B737 NG and B744, LDS B763, F1 ATR72, RFP B 742 to name only a few. Some of those airplane files, included in the original product delivery, were fed by FOC developers with aircraft manufacturers information, thus they may slightly differ from add-ons performances (and definitely with default Microsoft aircrafts), but certainly not to a point to make them unusable. Most of those aircraft files are locked with a password by their author so as to avoid unwarranted changes that might upset future planning calculations. Individual aircraft files can be created for one particular aircraft with its own registration and airline, this is evidently useful for a real airline since they might have say MD11s equipped differently (engines, capacity, cargo etc.) requiring distinctive performances. This is equally interesting if you have several versions of the same aircraft (different engines) in your hangar, provided you possess the data required to fill up those tables that is, since information offered by add-on developers are often not very detailed. Finally, this aircraft editor will allow the creation of separate airline fleets if you wish. To summarise, do not embark in that process if you do not have the performance data requirements listed in the manual, an inaccurate or incomplete job will only lead to unwanted planning results! Aircraft Editor Aircraft Editor Climb Data Aircraft Editor EROPS/STOPS file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (12 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

13 Airline Editor Although a number of airlines are already fed into this database, you might want to add more which are not listed such as Varig for example. This process is simple and best shown with the template itself: Airline Editor Is Danur Flight Operation Centre for You? Test System Dell Dimension 8300 CPU: Intel P RAM: 2.0 GB Video: ATI RADEON X 800 PRO 256 Flying Time: 35 hours After reading this review, which I made as thorough as I could after testing all but one of its features (the aircraft editor), you probably formed your opinion as to whether this product appeals to you, fits your needs or exceeds them. Each virtual pilot has his own views as to what he wants to know and use for his flights. FOC is a professional tool designed by a pro who was himself a dispatcher for a major airline, hence there is very little if anything that can be added to such a complex and complete package. If you regard your flight planning as an integral part of the fun to fly virtually, the time devoted to this process to (a) enjoy it, (b) squeeze all the benefits out of this wonderful software, will become a hobby in itself. After a few days using FOC, I found myself immersed into a flight plan creation frenzy, with real airline schedule and flight numbers, using the same aircraft types and flight frequency, so as to build up flight choices out of my home airports and preferred airlines. If you really want to become as knowledgeable on flight operation planning as on flying techniques, get the best out of your airplanes, and discover a new passion beside, but complementary to FS, then FOC could very well be for you. What I Like About Danur Flight Operation Centre A comprehensive array of features leading to the world of a flight dispatcher job It is an entertaining programme, as one may spend hours to prepare a database of flight plans and establish an airline schedule only for fun Most detailed flight plans I have ever seen in FS Excellent tool for Virtual Airlines planning Bob Raemer NATPLOT freeware usable for NAT PAC OTS and FOC flight plan review file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (13 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM

14 What I Don't Like About Danur Flight Operation Centre There is a need for a tutorial (Trunk routes+nats among others) Although understandable - given the professional sources used - the Navdata subscription cost is rather high for simmers Export tools to major aircraft add-ons and FSNav would be welcome Possible confusions in the weight and balance menu regarding the unit used (Kg or Lbs), the unit should be highlighted at the top Airways not part of the map view (might be technically challenging given the resources needs) Printing If you wish to print this review or read it offline at your leisure, right click on the link below, and select "save as" Danur FOC (adobe acrobat required) Standard Disclaimer The review above is a subjective assessment of the product by the author. There is no connection between the producer and the reviewer, and we feel this review is unbiased and truly reflects the performance of the product in the simming environment. This disclaimer is posted here in order provide you with background information on the reviewer and connections that may exist between him/her and the contributing party. Comment About this Review! AVSIM Online All Rights Reserved file:///e /AVSIM/Reviews/Danur%20FOC/Danur.htm (14 of 14)19/02/2006 9:41:08 AM