When pilots want to enter there planned route from their dispatchers into the FMC, how do they make it?

Question

i mean first of all, is the route file an "e-mail", or do they get it on a CD? And then, to enter it into the FMC, do they go to "co-route", and just enter the route name file, and press enter, and it is loaded?

Answer 1

A planned route is build up out of so called "legs". Legs are route segments between 2 waypoints. If you fly a standard route, it is usually pre-programmed in the FMC. When you're flying a route for the first time, you must enter the waypoints manually. If the waypoints are chosen from a database of beacons, you only have to enter the ID code of the beacon and add it as a waypoint (check the coordinates since some codes are used more then 1 time worldwide). If the waypoint does not exist in the database, you can add it manually by giving it a name and the corresponding coordinates.

It is possible that routes van be added from a data device into the FMC, but I've never heard or seen that. Maybe a pilot can give you that answer.

Answer 2

I take it none you have ever downloaded a flight plan into an FMS. For companies having the capability, and I worked for one that did, you can download the planned route directly into the FMS using one of the datalink functions.

Answer 3

Most flights are pre-planned and recorded at the point of take off.

They are call flight plans and the pilots stay with it if they can and only in the emergency change them and if possible re plan the change in air and inform the changes, if possible to available control tower.

Control tower would accept the plan or re-route the plane on more convenient or acceptable route.

Answer 4

The FMC will have airways, airports,SIDs,STARs and navaids in its database. All you have to do is tell the FMC where it is. (Position page, You'll have the airport coordinates. Gate coordinates are sometimes available- but not always. You can enter those manually from the airport chart.)

Select the route page and tell the box the origin and destination. If there is a company canned route programmed in the FMC, you'll find it here. Select it.

Go to the departure/arrival screen. Select the runway, departure, and transition that you expect to get.

If there is no canned route, then enter your flight plan as it is printed on your release. Go back to the departure /arrival screen and program your expected arrival and runway.

Of course any time along the way, numerous changes will be made. You might be able to get a more direct routing, or be sent the long way around something. Nothing ever goes as planned.