Using Flight Planning Software
Flight planning software can accurately direct aircraft in the fastest route possible with minimal fuss. It is simple to use and offers a quality flight plan for IFR and VFR flights. This software can be used in combination with PC’s, MAC’s, Tablets, iPads and Mobile Phones and all provide accurate, fast and easy instructions for planning flight routes. Along with other key features you can book your landing slot, ground handling and many other parts of your travel. Together with the ease of use and speed users will find themselves with a flight planning tool that will become the backbone of all flying experiences.
Why use Flight Planning?
Flight planning software is an extremely important aspect of flying for all pilots. It is vital that all flights have a well structured and organised flight plan which will ensure the safety of passengers on board. As flight planning software effectively removes a lot of the margin for human error, flying is safer than it has been for many years. Reducing risk factors and successfully predicting weather patterns is only a part of what a good flight plan does, but even these aspects contribute hugely to the success of a journey. The aim of flight planning is to build a recipe for the safest flight on a particular day and specific aircraft. As circumstances are never the same for any flight, the calculations will differ depending on the aircraft and therefore must be tailored adequately.
IFR and VFR Planning
IFR flight planning is an abbreviation for Instrument Flight Rules which is a term applied to flying when the pilot intends to use on board instruments for the purposes of navigation. IFR is used when the conditions in an aircraft are believed to be unsafe to rely on visual clues alone. IFR comes to the forefront and is very important to use when conditions are unfavourable; when visibility is low, heavy clouds, rain or snow is present. VFR flight planning is highly skilled and requires a great deal of training. VFR (Visual Flight Rules) is a term used when pilots embark on a flight without any need for on board instruments. These rules come into play when a pilot may navigate an aircraft using only visual aids. In order for VFR planning to be used, the weather on the day of the scheduled flight must be superior in terms of visibility and stability.
IFR flights need a pilot to have undergone rigorous training in various aspects including complex technical knowledge so they can gain the best results. VFR flights differ in that they use a pilots own senses to navigate. The rules of VFR are rather simpler than those of IFR as pilots can make their own decisions regarding speed and bearing with more ease than a pilot who is flying under IFR. VFR allows the utilisation of the outside environment in decision making, the position of the horizon for instance can tell a pilot a lot about the height and course of their craft. IFR planning is all the more important when we consider this as the pilot is relying on relayed information almost all of the time. There is little room for manoeuvre of rules during IFR flight whereas a VFR flight allows a pilot to choose to use instruments as and when they see appropriate.