Stallspeed From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (11 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1709 times:
Flight planning is usually done by dispatchers(with the aid of computers). Then approved by the Pilot. In most cases the Pilot and the dispatcher must agree on the plan.
One place where the plan might be changed is say for instance: A plane is going from PHX to LGA. The dispatcher loads up on fuel because it is cheaper in Phoenix. The Captain sees the weather is cold and icy in New York, so he/she reduces the fuel to only what is needed for the flight so that the landing weight is reduced, and more acceptable for the icy (slippery) conditions that may lie ahead.
Plus, here in the USA (Part 121 Domestic/Flag Operators), we share joint responsibility with the PIC, and provide flight monitoring (*not* ATC separation) services, and overall safety oversight..
A320FO From Austria, joined Oct 2000, 211 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (11 years 2 months 2 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1674 times:
In my company, the dispatchers will do the planning for long range flights and for flights that get close to the airplanes limits, eg flights that reach the range limits or sold out flights, and so on.
For all other flights, the pilots do the planning on computers, without any direct contact with dispatchers. The computer filters all required information for the route from the global database and calculates the optimum flight profile. All the pilot does is to change a few input factors, such as weights. This work takes about 15 minutes.
PHLyBoy From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 70 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (11 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 1639 times:
For Delta, Our Dispatchers go to work on the Flight Plan about 2 hours prior to departure. They send it to us in operations and also up at the gate via teletype at a minimum one hour prior to departure.
DE727UPS From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 814 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (11 years 2 months 1 week 6 days 8 hours ago) and read 1624 times:
The computer figures out the best altitude and speed profile based on a compromise between the need to get there fast and the desire to burn minimum fuel. The dispatcher checks the weather and can add an alternate and more fuel or make other amendments as necessary. The pilots show up one hour prior to departure and go over the computer and dispatchers work to make sure there aren't any mistakes and to make any amendments they think prudent such as a takeoff alternate do to weather, add fuel do to weather, or to have the flight profile changed do to an MEL item. The actual FAA flight plans are stored in the center computer and are supposed to be available like 30 minutes prior to departure. While in flight it's not unusual to work out a direct routing with ATC or to fly faster than the flight plan....especially if you are going to the hotel. That's when you go "hotel speed", which is around .84 mach.
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