Method for filing flight plan

[Mike Schneider]

What method (FSS, Duats...) do you use to file? Is there an advantage to using your method? -- Mike

 

[poadeleted20]

DUATS when I have computer access, phone to FSS when I don't. The advantage to DUATS is the ability to see the entire briefing data package and print a flight plan.

 

[ScottM]

Phone it in to FSS

 

[EdFred]

800 Wx Brief

 

[tonycondon]

i use flight service

 

[SCCutler]

Telephone to FSS; to be brutally honest, I have never been properly briefed on the use of DUATS, and the sheer volume of crap NOTAMs it spits out is overwhelming.

As I have been using the AOPA RTFP for general use, I do think about going ahead and letting it file the flight plan when I ask for the briefing, but have never yet allowed it to do so.

I also value the Flight Service Specialist's input on interpretation, and appreciate the interaction.

Guess I need to "bone-up" on DUATS; any recommended resources?

 

[Lance F]

Belts and suspenders. I use AOPA Flight Planner to get the full DUATS briefing, weather radar and winds. After I've reviewed this, decided on an altitude to file and let it calulate the flight time for me, I call a briefer both to file and get a standard briefing.

 

[ggroves]

DUATS...and I carry a tablet PC when I travel and insist on hotels with high speed internet access. I use FSS as the absolute last resort.

Greg
182RG

 

[SCCutler]

DUATS...and I carry a tablet PC when I travel and insist on hotels with high speed internet access. I use FSS as the absolute last resort.

Greg
182RG

I hear this from time to time; maybe we are spoiled down here, but our briefers are great, rarely hold longer than 30 seconds, friendly and helpful.

Oughta count the blessings, I guess...

 

[Bill]

Belts and suspenders.

Yup, full weather/TFR/AIRMET/SIGMET/NOTAM research by computer, then phone in the plan and get a standard brief.The standard brief should match my research. I like having "no TFRs for route of flight" on tape. Likewise, when I file VFR, I again ask for TFR's when opening the flight plan. May not end up saving you, but it does show diligence.

 

[ScottM]

Yup, full weather/TFR/AIRMET/SIGMET/NOTAM research by computer, then phone in the plan and get a standard brief.The standard brief should match my research. I like having "no TFRs for route of flight" on tape. Likewise, when I file VFR, I again ask for TFR's when opening the flight plan. May not end up saving you, but it does show diligence.

i do the same, it is nice to hear that my analysis is the same as the professional briefers. If it is not I'll ask a bunch more questions.

 

[grattonja]

I will often talk to a live briefer sometime in the preflight process, but often file DUATS when I can. The only problem is that DUATS has been known to lose my FP. Not often, but usually when I am in a hurry.

Jim G

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

If available, usually scan the computer WX then get briefed & file by phone with FSS.

 

[gismo]

DUATS when I have computer access, phone to FSS when I don't. The advantage to DUATS is the ability to see the entire briefing data package and print a flight plan.

ditto except my reason for using duats is laziness for the most part. I plan the flights on my laptop using FliteSoft and filing is pretty much a one click effort (plus a little double checking, see next sentence) if I'm online. I have burned myself that way a couple times when the program accidentally got into VFR mode (where it files a VFR plan) or when I messed up on time zones, but other than that it (filing via duats) works quite well.

I almost never go online directly to the duats website and file though, if I don't have my computer and a data connection, I just file with FSS.

 

[whirlaway]

Definately DUATS whenever I have a computer handy. You get a full printable weather briefing and then you can file your flight plan and review and print it out.

A phone call to FSS is a backup.

 

[jesse]

I've never filed one.

 

[tonycondon]

haha, god for some reason i knew that would be your response

 

[EdFred]

I've never filed one.

CFI's never required it as a student? That's the only time I've filed a VFR plan. IFR - well, they don't like ya to air file in the soup.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

CFI's never required it as a student? That's the only time I've filed a VFR plan. IFR - well, they don't like ya to air file in the soup.

If I'm going airborne to get a good look at the ceilings at uncameraed mountain passes and even in the flatlands out towards the coast and then decide if they're good enough to make a farther VFR flight, I'll file airborne if a longer flight is deemed possible or as an IFR pop-up air file.

 

[AirBaker]

Belts and suspenders. I use AOPA Flight Planner to get the full DUATS briefing, weather radar and winds. After I've reviewed this, decided on an altitude to file and let it calulate the flight time for me, I call a briefer both to file and get a standard briefing.

I do the same. I like being able to see the weather and get a better idea of the entire route/area. Then when I get the briefing from 800-wxbrief, I know generally understand better what they're saying plus it helps catch anything I might have missed.

 

[AirBaker]

IFR - well, they don't like ya to air file in the soup.

Yeah, you should have that IFR clearance prior to going IFR.

I realized the weather was closing in on us on a flight back from Santa Barbara. I was already on flight following out of SBA's class C.

"Approach, N5637S. We're going to need an IFR clearance to RHV."
"37Sierra, cleared direct GILRO."
*Poof* into the clouds.

 

[EdFred]

Yeah, you should have that IFR clearance prior to going IFR.

I realized the weather was closing in on us on a flight back from Santa Barbara. I was already on flight following out of SBA's class C.

"Approach, N5637S. We're going to need an IFR clearance to RHV."
"37Sierra, cleared direct GILRO."
*Poof* into the clouds.

GRR is great about that for me too when I need to get through a deck. And I usually ask em for that on my initial call up.

MKG - the ATC Nazi-ette there asks for everything before giving clearance.

 

[TMetzinger]

I use Duats via FliteStar, the web, or telnet. I only file with FSS when I'm doing an ADIZ or FRZ plan.

 

[NC Pilot]

Both. There are times I want to hear a human interpretation of what I am seeing on the computer. If I don't have access to a computer, then it has to be FSS...

 

[jesse]

CFI's never required it as a student? That's the only time I've filed a VFR plan. IFR - well, they don't like ya to air file in the soup.

He showed me it once. But he did the talking.

Personally I consider them completely pointless (at least in my area)

 

[tonycondon]

well when you fly so low that everyone on the ground can read your tail number, it doesnt really matter. The FAA will know exactly where you are at at all times

 

[HPNPilot1200]

www.fltplan.com

...mainly because I've been using it for a while and I sometimes get those last minute calls from my dad wanting me to go into his account and file a new flight plan for a pop-up trip or read him his filed route when he forgets to print it out.

If I want to file a flight plan and am unsure of the weather, FSS is the way to go. It gives me two things in one and I get to speak to a live person (although fltplan.com does a nice job with their QICP weather service).

Jason

 

[Steve]

Duats via Flitestar, or via aeroplanner.com. Both allow viewing TFRs/Notams graphically along the planned route. Flitestar allows some preliminary planning offline before pulling down the wx and filing. Aeroplanner makes it easy to check wx and facilities at various alternate airports near the airport of intended destination. Also use airnav and couple other websites to determine fbo/lodging/ground transport options.

Starting to use Google Earth and Local Live more to review airport layout and environs prior to flights.

 

[poadeleted20]

I use Duats via FliteStar, the web, or telnet. I only file with FSS when I'm doing an ADIZ or FRZ plan.

Per the current version of the DC ADIZ NOTAM (6/2550), you can file DC ADIZ flight plans (both IFR and VFR) via DUATS. FRZ flight plans still require calling Leesburg AFSS with your confidential pilot identification code (see FDC NOTAM 6/2545 for details on FRZ flights).

From FDC NOTAM 6/2550:

3.BEFORE DEPARTING FROM AN AIRPORT WITHIN THE DC ADIZ OR BEFORE ENTERING THE DC ADIZ, PILOTS MUST FILE AND ACTIVATE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN OR, FOR VFR, A DC ADIZ FLIGHT PLAN. FOR VFR OPERATIONS, THE FAA WILL CONSIDER THE DC ADIZ FLIGHT PLAN TO ENTER/EXIT THE DC ADIZ CLOSED UPON LANDING AT AN AIRPORT WITHIN THE DC ADIZ OR WHEN THE AIRCRAFT EXITS THE DC ADIZ. ONCE AN AIRCRAFT EXITS THE DC ADIZ, IT CANNOT RE-ENTER THE DC ADIZ ON THE SAME FLIGHT PLAN.

Note that the requirement to file at an AFSS is gone. In addition, if you go to the DUATS flight plan filing page, you'll see a link to instructions on filing a DC ADIZ VFR flight plan. Again -- this is only for ADIZ flights that don't go in the FRZ, i.e., not to the DC-3, which still require a call to Leesburg AFSS (and only to Leesburg).

 

[SLagonia]

DUATS when I can - otherwise I phone into the FSS. I like being able to use DUATS from within the AOPA Flight Planner.

 

[ScottM]

well when you fly so low that everyone on the ground can read your tail number, it doesnt really matter. The FAA will know exactly where you are at at all times

Glad I am still a small letter/number plane. You can barely see those form accross the flight line

If I repaint this summer I have to switch to the bigger numbers and won't be grandfathered in any longer.