Hello!Some questions about above mentioned subject:1. Trip planning is not very comfortable, to much reading of performance tables and so on, isn

I use several tools to plan 747-400 flights. When I have decided where I am going, mostly in and out of EGLL I will find a route. I discovered this tool yesterday: http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/If even does planning across the NATS tracks for you as well. Only used it once so far.If I am flying out of the USA I will find the flight I am doing on Flightaware and then use the ATC flight plan from that. I also have a program that needs PS1 to run. It has all the airways in the World in it and all waypoints so you can also plan flights using that. http://aerowinx.com/downloads/PS1AIRQ.zipFor weather I have Active Sky 6 and I load up historic weather for the time of day I fly. To program winds on the FMC I use the following website which gives Spot winds. http://aviation.weathersa.co.za/Gridw.htmThis helps the fuel planning later!I still use a program from my days flying PS1 that helps me plan the fuel etc. http://www.btinternet.com/~gonewest/RoutPlan/ It is called Routplan and is a very useful program. I can add whatever pax or Freight load I want and it gives the ZFW and Fuel Load to take. You can also add in the average head/tail winds you are expecting as well. (Use the charts from above for that) You can also add in Waypoints to make it more accurate. I don

I just have to throw in a little plug here: :(www.vdispatch.caUnder development. ;-)Cheers,

Wow!!!!!!!You can read my thoughts!I will be one of your customers - that

http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/I have been using this tool for a while now. Use it together with http://www.fsroute.com/ than you can export the plans.

You may want to read this thread:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...09124&mode=full Wilson HinesMy Blog: http://www.wilsonhines.com --------------------------------------http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpghttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/pmdg_744F.jpghttp://online.vatsimindicators.net/837438/3074.png

Depends where I am going, example flew UAL9991 (OPR/TG921) from Frankfurt to Bangkok last night; that took me around 3hrs to plan out down from route to minute details like stab trim settings.Something like New York-JFK or Boston to Frankfurt as an example (which are daily LH -400s) it may take that amount of time, if not more, considering ETOPS.Yes I know ETOPS is for TWIN but many operators treat all North Atlantic & applicable Pacific routes as an ETOPS route for safety.Remember I am planning these fo FAR / ETOPS regulations and here is a list of what I planned on my JFK-FRA flight

>All you really need to plan a perfect flight.The list of features is impressive but one key thing is missing - calculating wind-optimal routes. Airlines use it extensively for economy and it can result in a drastically modified route.Michael J.http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/for...argo_hauler.gifhttp://sales.hifisim.com/pub-download/asv6-banner-beta.jpg

Hi Ginge, The SA site for winds is very impressive! Thanks.I'm beginning to explore a new frontier in FS - the upper expanses of the globe - that means the North Pole, Alaska area. Do you know of any website that can give winds information for places like that? I've tried many sites, but they cover EVERY place on earth save for that area.You should try this website. http://www.ofplan.net The weather briefing is incredible.Cheers!Mike

Ben, Thank you for illustrating the steps on your flight planning. Could you post the programs, or websites you use for that extensive planning process? Thanks,Mike

I use the Aviation Weather Center at www.aviationweather.gov for my weather, the RouteFinder for my route (in conjunction with the FAA Peferred routes, the NAR system and Jeppesen stuff).NAR (North American Routes) are a set of routes to/from the NAT system and also standard routings to airports from the NAT system.The zip file can be found at http://www.allbandsondeck.com/Ben/nar.zipNOTAMs come via the UK AIS at www.ais.org.uk; I use the narrow brief and plug in my route of flight which only generates pertinant NOTAMS, very handy.Fuel planning is done from the 747-400 manualAnd always close at hand, are the Federal Aviation Reg's www.faa.gov

Thanks Ben!This is great stuff. Do you know where I can get upper level winds for Alaska and the north pole?thanks,Mike :)