In article , Sridhar Rajagopal
wrote:
I was wondering about the following:
1) how many people actually use any kind of flight planning software
(VFR and IFR)?
2) If you do use it, which one do you use?
3) how would you rate it?


It depend on what aircraft I am flying.
If I will be flying the Champ, I have to stop every two hours.
Depending on the winds, two hours could be 100 sm or it could be 240
sm. I start out with a no-wind cruise speed and plot 150 sm stops on
the map. Then I go to DUATS and plug the fuel stops and destination
into the planner. I look at the wind adjusted leg times and move my
fuel stops accordingly.
Flying any of my clubs C182, PA28-201RT, PA32-300, I still have to plan
for two hour legs (my wife's rule) but with the higher no-wind cruise
speed, the distances are greater, but the planning is still the same.
Start with paper, determine the stops, feed DUATs, adjust the stops.