Hello All,Could someone tell me how to choose a flight level for the cruise? I usually download real world weather and fly at the

From what little I understand on the subject, commercial operations use pretty sophisticated and expensive computer programs to pick an optimum route that minimizes fuel burn. Similar dispatch planning services are available for GA use by commercial providers such as Jeppesen.For a decent general overview of current and forecast winds aloft in the continental US, the ADDS tool available on the NOAA website www.aviationweather.gov will provide a look at winds aloft at various flight levels. You can also get a cross-section of winds aloft along a particular flight path.Hope this is somewhat helpful.Matt

I belive that FSBuild loaded with wx from ActiveSky2004 will calculate the optimum FL including step climbs depending on the winds. FOC2003 also does this, but I use that software rarely so I

"I belive that FSBuild loaded with wx from ActiveSky2004 will calculate the optimum FL including step climbs depending on the winds."I'd appreciate if you'd explain how to do this, Tord, please, giving an example flight plan, if possible?BR,Frank

So will Flight Operation Center, but it's standalone (it has it's own weather subscription service). I use it for PIC, PS13, and the PMDG jets. Bit of a steep learning curve, but once done it works for me.They're at http://www.danur.com/Luck,P

Well, my reasoning may be wrong but here goes. As we all know different headwind components will mean different fuel loads, thus different weights. Obviously a heavier aircraft will have a lower initial FL. Since FSBuild has the winds aloft data available I

Very interesting replies guys! Although it looks like you'd have to shell out some cash to be able to predict an optimum route accurately.Anyway after reading your reply Tord, can you step climb on a NAT track? I would have thought it safer/simpler not to allow them. Also if your

Many thanks for the detailed reply, Tord!I'm afraid it'll take me some time to get my head around all that information(we had our office Christmas party last night, groan :-(), but I'll be studying the hard copy as I journey south(of Ireland, that is!) for the holidays.Have a nice Christmas!BR,Frank

Paul,It certainly is possible to step climb on the NATS, traffic etc permitting. You can always ask, just don't count on getting the level change (odds are you probably won't).As on a normal ICAO flight plan, each point at which either a change in speed and/or level is requested must be specified as geographical co-ordinates in latitude and longitude, or as a named waypoint in the format as follows:53N050W/M080F370You could either just contact the oceanic control centre and request the higher level when you are ready for it or, better yet, on your position report give them a heads up that at the next position you will be requesting a climb. EG; "AC892, Postion 52N 40W,0512,FL360, estimating 53N 30W at 0559, 55N 20W next. Requesting FL370 at 30W."To which the normal response will be "Unable higher, traffic". Doesn't hurt to ask though.As for the fuel, most computer generated flight plans will indicate the different burns at FLs above and below the optimum and the dispatcher will account for the possibility of not getting the optimum FL for the crossing.Kevin in CYOW

Hey, what I do which I think is the best way to help with the winds is that you go to fboweb.com or and flight tracker website and track the flight you are going to do. And then you fly the altitude that it says because thats what the airline thinks is best for that specific day.Regards