Hi,

 

I export my flightplan from PFPX to:

- FSX format (.pln)

- PMDG 777 format

 

Then I load the FSX .pln into ASN:

 

 

I would have 3 questions:

 

1) I don't understand why all my flight plans have FL180... which turns to be the transition altitude and not the cruise altitude?

 

2) I know it's a dumb question but do I have to change manually within ASN: Cruise KTS, Climb FPM, Climb KTAS, Descent FPM, Descent KTAS?

 

3) I read that ASN has an interpolation feature. So I understand that it is capable of detecting the position of the aircraft. So why do I need to load a flight plan? Does it help to have a more accurate weather?

You can change the FL to anything you want and the plan will adjust accordingly.  My normal FL is 240.  You can change the parameters to anything you want.  You do not have to prepare a flightplan for every flight.  If you look at the bottom of the ASN application, it will show you the Weather Mode.  When you start up FSX, it will find your location and set the real time weather accordingly.  It does not use the flightplan data.  HiFi is just giving you another avenue to prepare a flight plan other than the default flight plan program or another external flight plan.  A flight plan like you prepared above is great to use when programming the 777 FMC.  It shows you all of the waypoints you need to enter and the weather directions/wind speeds.  You do not have to make sure the 777 FMC is exactly the same as the ASN flight plan.  ASN will use the location where your aircraft is located and disregard any flight plan.  I like to make up a quick flight plan and then hit the Briefing Tab in ASN.  It provides the weather at the location where I will be starting up FSX and show me the weather at the destination.  It kind of gives me an idea as to what I'm going to encounter during the flight.  Just remember ASN is now your default weather program unless you select a weather theme at the free flight page.  In that case you need to shutdown ASN to avoid any conflicts.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Best regards,

When you're flying and decide to change altitudes, you can enter the new one in the ASN flight plan and it will update the winds. If it doesn't have values for that altitude, it will interpolate between the altitudes for which it does have specific values.

 

BTW, you can use Notepad to change the altitude/flight level in the flight plan file before you start your flight. I usually use FL320 for westbound flights, and FL330 for eastbound flights.

Another benefit of loading your flight plan into asn is that you can use your comm radio on 122.00, 122.02, and 122.05 for origin, destination, and enroute weather updates. Kinda like flight watch in real life, only you don't get to talk to a real person

Thank you all for your inputs and especially Jim for your detailed and comprehensive explanations. I appreciate and got it!