Flight Planning

Applying cost elements into the flight planning process gets you closer to determining a true least-cost flight plan

Airlines, handling companies and corporate jet operators need a sophisticated level of automation capable of tackling flight planning issues.

Such automation needs to be trustworthy, globally accessible, and provided by a credible and recognized industry organization.

SITA Flight Planning service provides a highly accurate calculation of fuel required for flying between any two airports in the world. It is the core component of SITA’s integrated Flight Briefing portfolio, which also includes the Surface Weather and NOTAMs Module and Airport, Runway and Obstacle Data (AGA).

Overview

Flying the shortest route is not necessarily the cheapest option. Deciding the best route requires a complex analysis of:

Aircraft performance
Latest upper weather data
Route validation against air traffic control ( ATC) routing requirements

SITA Flight Planning service selects the minimum-cost route based on optimum cost index (CI) and overflight fee analysis. You can create, manage and maintain your own route database according to your specific requirements.

Benefits

SITA Flight Planning service provides the following benefits.

Full visibility of all key navigation data so that alternative route options can be found quickly and efficiently
Highly accurate fuel calculation
Optimized planning process, immediate and effective response to ATC-related disruption
Internet access from any Web-enabled PC in the world
Least-cost flight planning, considering time-related costs, fuel-related costs and en-route charges

Features

SITA Flight Planning service includes the following features.

Rich functionality

Allows aircraft dispatchers to consider cheapest or shortest route options, as well as automatic filing of flight plans to relevant ATC authorities and compliancy checking against published restrictions.

Simple user interface

GraFlite, an advanced Windows based GUI, gives a pictorial representation of the flight plan route against a global mapping database, with weather, airport and airspace overlays. ETOPS planning and validation are fully supported both graphically and during flight plan generation.

Access and delivery

Offers a range of global access and delivery methods suitable for any size or type of operation.

Cost-management tools

SITA Flight Planning includes powerful cost management tools.

Cost Index (CI)

Dynamically calculates the optimum speed schedule and altitude, as well as best route, to provide the ideal cost index for each specific flight plan.

The resulting CI value can be input into the aircraft’s FMC to ensure both the flight plan and the onboard computer match in speed and altitude. A desired CI value can also be specified, resulting in the appropriate speed and profile.

Fuel Tankering

Dynamically assesses key factors to determine the true cost of carrying excess tanker fuel.

Together with a full profit and loss summary, it can output this information on the flight plan. A tankering calculation can automatically be considered for every flight plan run, reducing what is normally a highly manual task.