Whether you are creating a model from scratch or editing an existing model, the information in the model is the same. The only difference between the two is that when you edit an aircraft model, the tabs are aligned along the top because information is already stored within each tab. When you create an aircraft model from scratch, the program uses a sequence of dialog boxes to ensure that the information is placed in the right sequence.
To access the basic aircraft information to edit the data:
Click Edit > Default Aircraft.
Click the Basic Info tab.
FliteStar uses this information in flight plans and performance calculations.
| NOTE | To build an aircraft model from scratch, start with Creating a New Aircraft. |
| NOTE | The boxes on the right side of the Basic Info dialog box are not available when using the advanced performance model. The advanced performance model takes data from your aircraft climb and descent tables, which give more accurate climb and descent profiles. |
The following table contains a brief description of each field in the Basic Aircraft Data dialog box. When you have entered all the basic aircraft data, save your edited fields or click Cancel to revert to the original data. If you are creating an aircraft model from scratch, click Next to continue to Operating Costs.
Basic Aircraft Information |
Make |
The manufacturer's name for the aircraft, for example: Bonanza, Arrow, Centurion. |
Model |
The manufacturer's model designation for the aircraft, for example, F33A, PA–28RT, T210. If you plan to upload flight plans to DUAT/S, be sure you have the current and correct code. Go to the ICAO website for current FAA aircraft codes. |
|
Registration |
The registration number of your aircraft. |
|
Color |
The color description FliteStar will use in the FAA flight plan form. If you plan to upload to DUAT/S, be sure you use a valid code. DUAT/S only accepts certain colors. See Formatting DUATS Flight Plans for a list of acceptable colors. |
|
Equipment |
Click View/Edit to open a dialog box of FAA and ICAO equipment. Check the box for each equipment type on the aircraft. FliteStar applies the appropriate codes to the flight plan forms. To verify or manually enter codes in the flight plan visit FAA or ICAO online for current aircraft equipment qualifiers. See also Formatting DUATS Flight Plans.
For RVSM compliant aircraft, see Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM). |
|
Home base |
Optional. FliteStar uses this airport identifier or name as a starting point in the Quick Planner. |
|
Fuel capacity |
Maximum usable fuel the aircraft can carry. Measurements are based on the selection made under Fuel Units in the Aircraft Setup Information tab. |
|
Taxi fuel and |
The amount of fuel used for taxi. You can find this information in the Performance section of the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), or in the Weight and Balance section. It may be listed in a sample weight and balance calculation of takeoff weight. The amount of fuel should be entered into FliteStar in the fuel units (gallons, pounds, liters, or kilograms) specified for your aircraft. FliteStar includes this fuel in the first segment when it creates a flight log. |
|
Climb |
Sea level ROC |
You can find this information in a climb performance chart, or in the front of the POH. This figure should be the sea level, standard temperature rate of climb for the aircraft in ft/min or m/min. Measurements are specified in the Speed/Distance Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. Choosing Knots/NM and MPH/SM> defaults the value to ft/min. |
Service Ceiling ROC |
The rate of climb at the service ceiling altitude. If you found the maximum operating altitude in the Limitations section of the POH then use that altitude in the climb performance chart to determine the climb rate. Otherwise, figure 100 ft/min for singles and 200 ft/min for twins. Measurements are specified in the Speed/Distance Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. Choosing Knots/NM and MPH/SM defaults the value to ft/min. |
|
Indicated Climb speed |
Enter the speed you normally use. If you normally use a high cruise climb speed, put that in (this may result in a lower climb rate so enter a lower number for your rate of climb above if you use a high cruise climb speed). Notice that this is indicated airspeed. FliteStar translates this into true airspeed when calculating the flight log. Measurements are specified in the Speed/Distance Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. |
|
Sea Level Climb and |
These may not be directly provided in your Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). They may be implied from other data such as time/distance/fuel to climb tables and graphs. Another way to estimate sea level climb fuel rate at full power is to divide your fuel flow at 75 percent power by .75. Fuel flow at the service ceiling should be close to the full throttle values shown at the highest altitudes in your charts. **Measurements are based on the selection made under Fuel Units in the Aircraft Setup Information tab. |
|
Cruise |
Default Cruise Altitude |
Enter the cruise altitude in feet or meters specified in the CG Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. Selecting inches, or centimeters defaults the measurement to feet. |
Descent |
Rate of Descent |
The rate of descent for normal descents in feet or meters specified in the Speed/Distance Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. |
Indicated Descent speed |
The normal indicated airspeed used for descent. The top of the green arc speed is often used. |
|
Descent Fuel Flow |
Fuel flow during descent in gallons or liters specified in the Fuel Units of the Aircraft Setup Information tab. Choosing pounds and kilograms defaults the measurement to gallons. |
For additional information about how FliteStar calculates fuel for each segment of a flight, see Leg Fuel.
To edit an aircraft model within a RoutePack, see Modifying and Adding an Aircraft Model in the RoutePack.