Speed your flight planning with AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner

Using AOPA's Real-Time Flight Planner

Once you have downloaded RTFP, you'll need your AOPA username and password and an Internet connection each time you launch the program from your computer's desktop.

The first time you use the flight planner, start by filling in your pilot information: name, address, and telephone number (first option in the edit menu). Enter your DUATS access code and password to pull up real-time weather information and file your flight plan electronically.

Then, through the edit menu, create an aircraft profile. Enter the aircraft make, mode, color, N number, home-base airport identifier, fuel capacity, and maximum gross weight. Fill in your aircraft's climb, cruise, and descent performance. The program uses that information to calculate your time en route. You can save up to five aircraft profiles and edit or select them at any time. Your stored pilot information and selected aircraft profile form the basis of your electronic flight plan.

The preflight menu allows you to plan your flight with a few strokes of the keyboard. Enter your departure and destination airport identifier or the first few letters of the airport name. A box will pop up for you to choose your intended airport. Select a departure time, whether you will be flying direct or by airways, your aircraft (from a profile you've created), and cruising altitude. The program automatically will plot your flight and create a printable navigation log and flight plan. Save up to 10 of your frequently traveled routes.

Right-click on an airport on your route to access AOPA's Airport Directory and instrument approach charts and print the information in kneeboard format.

If your route goes through a TFR, other special-use airspace, or isn't quite what you had in mind, changing it is a snap. Just click and drag the portion of the route you want to change to your preferred location. Your navigation log and flight plan will be updated automatically.

From the weather menu, you can select from many types of weather products (an information box will appear requesting more information specific to your flight). Once you have retrieved radar or satellite images, overlay these onto the map to see whether you need to route your course around weather. (Because you've already filled in your DUATS or DUAT access code and password, you'll be able to automatically connect to your preferred DUATS service provider to receive weather information.)

Use the drop-down window at the top in the center of the toolbar to select the latest graphics overlay. The weather image will appear on your en route chart, making it easy to click and drag your route around the weather.

When you select a standard weather briefing, the program will take the weather information and automatically figure the wind into your flight and update your navigation log and flight plan. Once you are satisfied with your route, file your flight plan directly from the weather menu page.