Automatic runway assignment

[Yolo Swaggins 15]

Hello

I usually build routes to include the longest SID and the longest STAR - for fuel calculation purposes. However, when I create a new flight, and there's a route stored for this flight, PFPX automatically loads the route, but changes the SID and the STAR based on current wind conditions, and I have to load the route again manually. Is there a way to prevent PFPX from doing that?

[Emi 5161]

And why do you choose the longest SID/STAR available? Just use the one you would most likely get, otherwise you will simply carry more fuel than necessary.
If you feel the need to carry some additional fuel just add some extra minutes (or a fixed amount) in the Fueloption. Also remember you usually already have the 3 or 5% reserve for such cases.

[jpgmultimodal 61]

Good morning,

Quite a long time ago when we were planning a flight we were considering the longest SID and STAR but we did not have today's tools

With a planning program like PFPX doing most of the work for you just follow the calculated runways, SIDs, STARs in regard of the actual or forecasted wind.

However, you are a human pilot and you know that in some circumstances the machine doing the calculations does not have a brain and you have to work a bit for yourself.

I explain: If the METAR gives a 20 kt wind blowing from the W and the TAF gives you about the same wind at the ETA do not bother to change anything PFPX is giving you.

But if you have a TAF and METAR like on the attach file you could have a doubt about your Rwy on arrival (E or W?) and the STAR could be different than planned. On this particular airport (LFPG) you could have 15 minutes or more approach time landing E or W (see attach file) and, if in doubt, just add these 15 minutes fuel and you are OK. If you give these explanations your company is not going to blame you if you had to carry more fuel than expected.

Most of the time follow PFPX and you should be OK but remember it is a planning tool.

Regards,

JP

LFPG METAR and TAF.pdf

[LIDO 12]

It's also what many major airlines do They also have the benefit of statistical fuel usage per flight, along with statistical airport delay information for certain times of arrival and departure.

Systems such as LIDO then can automatically add that data into the mix, as well as providing the flight crew with information on the % of flights that landed without needing the contingency fuel. This is to give the crew on the day, the confidence to go with "flight plan fuel"

But is also worth noting the "PLOG" produced by any flight planning system is rarely totally correct. Because almost always there will be a change in the ZFW so the flight crew should adjust the fuel up or down depending on the new ZFW using the factor provided on the flight plan.

In the event of a routing change (SID/STAR) we have a formula in our Operations Manual Part B (OM- to adjust the fuel accordingly.