Honeywell Forge Flight Services Update: NextGen Website Features - Route Plotting and Flight Plan Filing

As we mentioned last month, Honeywell Forge Flight services recently updated their website with even more features. Here are more changes and features of the NextGen Website: Plotting Flight Plans, Tools, Viewing Routes, and Filing the Flight Plan.

Customers can plot the flight plan route by clicking on the associated link, as well as download the plan to the FMS.

Clicking on the Flight Risk Assessment Tool menu item allows customers to access their PRISM FRAT account.

Customers will find the “plot on map” tool quite useful. Clicking on the link opens a small pop-up window that shows the plotted route. This window is expandable, and customers can overlay the weather over the route or add other information by clicking on the “Expand” icon at the top of the page (the square) and then accessing the menu options on the right.

The expanded view of the selected flight plan route map is then displayed. Selecting the Weather icon () superimposes the weather PIREPs.

Other familiar tools featured on the right-side tool bar include the Layers icon () for airspace information, the Map icon () for navigation tools, the Wrench icon () for a distance and bearing tool, and the Magnifying Glass icon (), which allows users to enable the search function. Customers will recognize these tools as they are the same as those embedded in the Flight Planning tool.

Speaking of which, customers might also notice several changes in the Flight Planning tool. To access, click on the NEW FLIGHT PLAN button at the top right-side of the page.

You can also hover your mouse over the New Flight Plan menu item to drop down a menu, then click on the link, as shown below.

To create a new flight plan, simply follow the prompts: begin by selecting your tail, inputting your DEPT DEST and ALT, and so on. One new feature to note is the different wind models that can be selected: Customers can choose between Forecasted Winds, Fixed, or Historic Wind Model.

Click on “View Routes” to continue.

When a route is selected, it will be plotted on the map. Customers will note a variety of route choices (Suggested, Recent/Frequent), as well as ATC routes. Clicking on the tabs allows the customer to select, view, and map any of the routes. In the example below, we have selected and opened the ATC tab and scrolled down to view several available CDR routes. Routes may be plotted by clicking the SHOW ON MAP button and may be removed from view by clicking HIDE ON MAP. Once the desired route has been viewed, click the SELECT button. If there is a large selection of available routes, it may be necessary to scroll down to view all of them.

In the following example, there are five possible ATC routes to choose from. The different routes we have mapped are shown in different colors. Once we’ve made our selection, the route changes color and is displayed as a thicker blue line.

A new “route settings” feature allows users to change their airspeed and flight level, as well as avoid flight information regions (FIRs). Users can also customize their route options by itemizing waypoints to avoid; adding preferred waypoints; or requesting a route be mostly airways, mostly DCT, or a mix of the two. Click on the “Gear” icon to open the Route Settings Window.

Click the APPLY button after inputting the selections. The window will close and revert to the flight details.

Once all the sections are complete, click the GENERATE FLIGHT PLAN button.

The Add to Flight Plan Document window will open, where the customer can select the items to be included in the flight plan, as well as add the Pilot in Command (PIC) name or call sign if necessary. To complete the flight plan, click PROCEED. The flight plan will then be calculated and displayed. To File, click on the FILE FLIGHT PLAN button at the top right side of the Tool Bar.

The flight plan will then be shown in a new window. Confirm that the information shown is correct, add any relevant remarks, fill out the Persons on Board box, then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on FILE WITH ATC.

The Status may be opened and checked here. Click on the triangle shown below to open the selections and check the appropriate box or boxes.

Ensure the PIC information is saved.

If you’d like to change the file times, you can select File Now, or you may select a new time for the plan to be filed by clicking on the drop-down menu next to the Hours before departure button.

When you’re finished, click the File with ATC button to file the plan.

After you click on File with ATC, a window will pop up for you to confirm that you wish to file the plan. Click OK to proceed, or click Cancel to wait to file the plan.

The plan will now be displayed in the Flight Plans queue along with its status. The figure below shows the flight plan just created and its status.

To archive the plan and remove it from the queue, check the box on the left, then click Archive on the right side. Because this plan has not been filed, a message will display across the top of the tool bar stating that the plan has been removed from view. To see the flight plan again, click the “Show hidden flight plans” link at the top of the page.

Our Honeywell Forge Flight Data Specialists are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have regarding these changes and upgrades, and we also offer training and support via Skype. To schedule training, please contact us via phone, email, or chat.

• US Toll Free: 888-634-3330
• International: +1 602-365-7020
• Email: FlightServices@Honeywell.com

Heidi Lichtenstein supports flight planning, datalink, and other services for Honeywell Forge Flight Services. She can be reached via email at Heidi.Lichtenstein@Honeywell.com.