From: dfr@usna.navy.mil (PROF D. Rogers (EAS FAC))
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.ifr,rec.aviation.misc
Subject: Contel flight planner
Keywords: Contel, flight planner
Date: 22 Nov 92 02:55:20 GMT
Followup-To: rec.aviation.ifr
Distribution: usa

G'day,
 
I recently had an opportunity to use the `new' Contel flight
planner. I was quite disappointed. An extract of the session is
given below.  Note that when I used the automatic VOR flight
planning function, I got a rather ridiculous route (see the first set
of >>>).  Note also that because I can file /R I can fly directly to
an intersection, i.e., AGARD. Now the logical route for this short
flight is AGARD V44 SIE. SIE (Sea Isle) is an IAF for WWD
(Wildwood/Cape May) VOR-A approach. V44 basically goes East to SIE
which is 5 nm from WWD. (Look on the 27/28 Low Altitude Enroute chart.)
 
Now V44 intersects V379 4 nm E of AGARD and requires a 25 degree
left turn, i.e., away from the destination and goes to ENO (SMYRNA
VOR). SMYRNA VOR is 35 nm West of WWD and there is NO airway that
passes even close. 
 
Did I do something wrong with the flight planner? Or, am I
right that the flight planner is sick? (Marty??)
 
BTW, the clearance I received was RV AGARD V44 SIE
 
Dave Rogers
 
Contel Flight Planner extract.
 
    ..             Flight Plan Menu
    ..
    ..    File Flight Plan                 1
    ..    Amend Flight Plan                2
    ..    Cancel Flight Plan               3
    ..    Flight Planner                   4
    ..    Modify Flight Planner Profile    5
    ..    Flight Planner Users Guide       6
    ..
    ..Select function (or 'Q' to quit): 4
    ..
    ..
    ..Departure point [W29]: 
    ..  Airport W29: Stevensville MD (Bay Bridge)
    ..
    ..Destination [WWD]: 
    ..  Airport WWD: Wildwood NJ (Cape May County)
    ..
    ..Current Time: Sat Nov 21 12:38 (UTC)
    ..Departure time (UTC) hhmm or "NONE" for no-wind plan [1500]: 
    ..Flight Planner Routing
    ..
    ..    Low-Alt Airway Auto-Routing      1
    ..    Jet Route Auto-Routing           2
    ..    VOR-Direct Auto-Routing          3
    ..    Direct Routing for LORAN         4
    ..    Direct Routing for RNAV          5
    ..    User Selected Routing            6
    ..
    ..Select function (or 'Q' to quit): 3
    ..
    ..Finding route...please stand by.
    ..
    ..Routing options selected:  Automatic VOR.
    ..Flight plan route:
>>> ..  W29 AGARD V44 V379 ENO WWD
    ..Total distance for this route is 72.6 nm.
    ..Great circle distance is 66.3 nm -- this route is 10% longer.
    ..
    ..Use this route [Y/N]? [Y] n
    ..Flight Planner Routing
    ..
    ..    Low-Alt Airway Auto-Routing      1
    ..    Jet Route Auto-Routing           2
    ..    VOR-Direct Auto-Routing          3
    ..    Direct Routing for LORAN         4
    ..    Direct Routing for RNAV          5
    ..    User Selected Routing            6
    ..
    ..Select function (or 'Q' to quit) [3]: 6
    ..
>>> ..Enter route: agard v44 sie
    ..
    ..Finding route...please stand by.
    ..
>>> ..### I1 doesn't go from AGARD to SIE
    ..Routing options selected:  Direct.
    ..Flight plan route:
    ..  W29 AGARD SIE WWD
    ..Flight Planner Routing
    ..
    ..    Low-Alt Airway Auto-Routing      1
    ..    Jet Route Auto-Routing           2
    ..    VOR-Direct Auto-Routing          3
    ..    Direct Routing for LORAN         4
    ..    Direct Routing for RNAV          5
    ..    User Selected Routing            6
    ..
    ..Select function (or 'Q' to quit) [6]: 6
    ..
    ..Enter route [agard v44 sie]: 
    ..
    ..Finding route...please stand by.
    ..
    ..### I1 doesn't go from AGARD to SIE
    ..Routing options selected:  Direct.
    ..Flight plan route:
    ..  W29 AGARD SIE WWD
    ..Flight Planner Routing
    ..
    ..    Low-Alt Airway Auto-Routing      1
    ..    Jet Route Auto-Routing           2
    ..    VOR-Direct Auto-Routing          3
    ..    Direct Routing for LORAN         4
    ..    Direct Routing for RNAV          5
    ..    User Selected Routing            6
    ..
    ..Select function (or 'Q' to quit) [6]: q