GA IFR flight plans?

[kerosene31 349]

I have a question for the experts out there on flight plans for smaller GA aircraft (singles and light twins). For awhile, I have been generating plans with FSNav in fs2004, and those plans usually follow low level airways and interserctions. I have been looking at a lot of real flights online from http://flightaware.com/live/ and I notice that many flights follow a more direct route. Sometimes they follow airways, but usually not. Is there any method to flight planning for these routes? Or do they just pick points along a straight line along the route? I was wondering if this was a more manual process, or if they generate plans from somwehere? Thanks!

[Avcomware 1]

Hi.The System, specially in USA is very flexible. A lot of the Routing depends on Traffic, Type of equipment in the aircraft, Altitude, Distance etc.There are Preferred Routes, but you may or may not get them depending on the above factors. You may get it one way and not the other. More and more Direct routes, between Nav aids, VORs, Intersections, Way points are being used, if you have the right equipment. TV>For awhile, I have been generating plans with FSNav in fs2004, and those plans usually follow low level airways and interserctions. I have been looking at a lot of real flights online from http://flightaware.com/live/ and I notice that many flights follow a more direct route. Sometimes they follow airways, but usually not.

[Guest Peter Sidoli]

There is very little difference filing IFR low level or high level you still pick airways which your aircraft can reach( I am talking European)In Europe that plan has to be accepted and the route you have requested has to be accepted.Sometimes in the remarks column a pilot will place the statement PPSC reroute accept.That means that if there is a fault on your requested route one will be made for you which is acceptable.Once airbourne you rarely follow the route you have had accepted. Often you are given radar headings, often you are given direct to a point along the route, often that route is changed.You can request a more direct route.Fact is the same goes for flying jets in high altitude airways so there is little difference.You can file VFR going IFR at a certain Point. You can file IFR going VFR at a certain point.You can also go IFR out of controlled airspace using radar services along your way.Peter

[Geofa 108]

I have been flying a B55 for the last 2 years only ifr across the entire US in all directions(N-S, E-W minus the NE corridor)-and have not flown an airway in that time except once(130 total hours in this aircraft). I file direct /G (ifr approved gps). I usually pick an initial fix just outside the airport-then direct-and atc usually either changes the initial fix to another one or just vectors me a little and then clears me direct to my final destination. The only time I flew an airway was for terrain clearance from Pueblo,CO. to Ogden ,Utah. You can check some of my recent flights on flightaware.com -all pretty nice straight lines-saves lots of time!http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N7345Rhttp://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

[michal 44]

GA has advantage because it operates within airpspace which is far less busy. But it has also disadvantage because it must be much more aware of the terrain. But like Geofa said - if your have right GPS equipment you can pretty much go direct (assuming no terrain blocks your way) and only file for a IAF from which you want to start your approach. No need to use FSBuild to plan your flights. There are special GA-websites where you can plan your flights but they usually come with a user fee, DUATS I guess is free but it is for licensed pilots only with a valid medical.Michael J.http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/pmdg_744F.jpghttp://sales.hifisim.com/pub-download/asv6-banner-beta.jpg

[Guest aca_dia]

Much of that also depends on where in the US you are. When I flew in Florida a lot I almost never ever got direct and I was glued to airways no matter how hard I tried. Here in New England below 12K the FSS will laugh at me if I try and file direct. I frequently will be given a shortcut here and there enroute, but rarely do I get direct unless it is a very short hop. Out west direct seemed quite a bit more common.

[kerosene31 349]

Thanks for all the great info!