Unable to Calc TOD - SFO to EUG

[bunky59 0]

I'm not able to get Pilot2ATC to calculate a TOD for a flight b/t KSFO and KEUG. I've tried a number of SIDs from SFO and Arrivals into KEUG, but can't get any to calculate a TOD. The specific route I was shooting for was KEUG-GRTFL-EUG-KEUG, with the TRUKN2 SID and ILS 16R ARR. Any thoughts?

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 871]

It works for me.  I entered KSFO GRTFL KEUG.  Then selected the TRUKN2 SID with GRTFL transition and the ILS16R with the EUG transition.  At cruise altitude of FL180, got a TOD of 87.2NM.

[bunky59 0]

Thanks Dave. I can get it to work as you did at FL 180, but I was aiming for FL 300, and I can't get it to work from that FL. I just tried various ground speeds again but no joy.

[bunky59 0]

Further testing shows that the highest FL that provides a TOD is FL 240

[bunky59 0]

FWIW, I do not have any trouble getting a TOD going from KEUG to KSFO at FL 310.

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 871]

The distances will be different because of differing procedures, so the maximum Cruise altitude will also differ.

[bunky59 0]

Thanks, but I'm not sure I follow. I'm trying to replicate a very standard airline route into EUG that follows this route per FlightAware (I've also flown this as a passenger >200 times so am pretty familiar with it). The usual FL is FL 300, so I don't think I'm doing anything unusual here. I've tried with 1500 and 2000 FPM descent rates, and ground speeds from 250 to 400.

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 871]

Are you using the latest version of P2A?  Using version 2.6.1.3, I have your plan entered with a GS of 350, descent rate of 1500 FPM, Climb rate of 1500 FPM and it gives a TOD of 112.3 NM.

Dave

[bunky59 0]

Thanks for your patience and persistence Dave. I think I've isolated where I'm running into trouble.

If I use the settings you supplied and the recommended RWY28R with MOLEN8 SID from KSFO, I get an appropriate TOD.

However, in real life KSFO uses RWYs 28R and 28L for landings and RWYS 01L and 01R for takeoffs in normal conditions, even though RYW 28R may be the indicated runway. If I try to use RWY01R with the TRUKN2 SID, I'm unable to get the TOD.  You can see the usual pattern in this FlightAware link from yesterday evening's United flight from SFO to EUG.

Best, Brian

[bunky59 0]

And I am using P2A version 2.6.1.3

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 871]

Brian,

Did you press Validate after you entered the flight plan?  I tried 01R and it gave a TOD.  

The plan is 440+ NM and the TOD from FL300 is only 112.3, so changing the SID  or approach should not prevent getting a TOD.  

If you could save the Flight Plan that's not giving you a TOD to the .vbf format and send to me at admin@pilot2atc.com, I will see if I can duplicate the problem.

Dave

[Dave-Pilot2ATC 871]

Brian,

Thanks for sending the Flight Plan.  I was able to isolate the problem and fix it for the next update.

If you don't enter the waypoint GRTFL by itself, and select the SID with GRTFL as the terminal waypoint, you should be able to validate and get at TOD.  The problem appears to be having the GRTFL waypoint as part of the route and also part of the SID.

So just do the flight plan without entering GRTFL and all should work.

Dave