Do any commercial airlines fly over the poles ??

Do any commercial airlines fly over the poles ??

Yes, LOT do it all the time. Al

According to FAA, "polar route" means anything over 78 deg latitude. So you can fly a "polar route" per FAA but not being "polar enough" according to Boeing. Flying OVER the Poles is in fact very, very rare. If the Pole is within passenger's view that's for many a flight over the Pole.

Like I say, not at all rare if you fly with LOT. Which reminds me of one of my favourite jokes... Are you a Pole Vaulter? No, I'm an East German, and don't call me Walter. Al

Yes, LOT do it all the time. Al

LOT rofl ... I love polish Jokes. -- "What are the poles doing in Russia ?"

Yes, Santa could use the NG, but he would need the short field performance kit to be able to land on some rooftops and be able to depart whilst still heavily laden with gifts. Dasher, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen and the rest of the guys would have to be slaughtered, boiled up and refined into bio-jet fuel of course, although Rudolf would still be useful as an anti-collision beacon. He can also be used in lieu of not having a weather radar, because he can detect rain dear. Al

I'll bring the discussion over here.

We didn't model the polar navigation option... is there an airline actually flying them over the poles? If so, I'm not aware of it... We didn't set out to model every single option that exists by the way, there are thousands of them, a lot of them after-market too.

Argh, I wish ya guys read the posts. It's not only about flying over the poles - For some Canadian operators you're required to have a true reference when operating up North - Northern Domestic Airspace:

Northern Domestic AirspaceCanadian Domestic Airspace is geographically divided into the Southern Domestic Airspace and the Northern Domestic Airspace as indicated in Figure 2.1. In the Southern Domestic Airspace, magnetic track is used to determine cruising altitude for direction of flight.The Magnetic North Pole is located near the centre of the Northern Domestic Airspace, therefore magnetic compass indications may be erratic. Thus, in this airspace, runway heading is given in true and true track is used to determine cruising altitude for direction of flight in lieu of magnetic track.

So, for example, if I wanted to rip up to Resolute (which is not some ######-ant little airport by the way, ILS and everything), I'd certainly be handy to have a true reference selector in order to shoot the approach correctly. Or what if I was operating from Yellowknife to Rankin Inlet? Once again. These are real world examples. Sure, I haven't seen WestJet up there in recent times but it isn't that far off. I'm just trying to say, it isn't just about "Polar Routes" as opposed to operation in high latitudes where magnetic heading references are all wack, both in FSX and the real world. Honestly guys, all I'm asking for is a key command. Don't worry about modelling the switch. Whatever I'd appreciate a reply, but something honest. Or just say no. Then i'll leave ya alone.

Houghton11, I dont think its as simple as a key command to switch between true and magnetic headings. If its never coded internally then a key command isnt going to do anything. Im almost certain the NG is not certified for polar operations within the northern domestic airspace. WestJet has never operated within the NDA in the NG. Although we have been to whitehorse (charter), yellowknife (daily) and Iqualut (charter) these are still within the SDA. Navigation equipment for switching between true and magnetic is typically not on 99% of the NGs that you see around. Thats a minor issue as to why the real reason why the NG is not certified for flights within the NDA. Temperature is the real issue, the old 200 doesnt have temperature sensitive electronics. Just peaking at the FCOM and it states at -40C engine start is not permitted. Maintaince is requried to accomplish procedures to warm up the Hydro-Mechanical unit. Thats after one hour, after 3-4 hours at -40C Maintanice is required to accomplish procedures for adverse weather start up. The NG is not self sufficient at temperatures seen up north like the -200 is. Long story short, the NG was never designed system wise to be flown that high up there. It has alot more temperature restricting parts then the old 200. Might have to try that CS 737 up there when its out and fully completed. As for the NGX replicating temperature restrictions on parts, I cant really see that happening within the sim. But that should give you a good idea so to why true headings were never modeled.

Fair enough. Thanks for the explanation Shane. I wonder how 5T's -300 been doing up there though. I have no idea though if they've even been using it beyond YEG.