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Old August 10th 04, 04:55 PM
Newps
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Stan Prevost wrote:



Another theme running through the previous comments is that the computer at
each ATC facility along the route does some kind of processing on the flight
plan, but upon encountering a fix that is not in its database, will "stop
processing" at the last recognized fix. This supposedly results in somehow
bollixing up the works.


No such thing happens. If the strip prints out of the computer it will
work for the entire route. There is never a point where the computer
throws up its arms and says screw it, where some action is required by
the controller to keep the flight active.


I think it is being said that the controller will
be unable to determine the route of flight through his/her airspace,


That can happen if you file direct and the controller doesn't recognize
the destination airport. However the only controller that may really be
in the dark is the first one because in all subsequent sectors the plane
is on a straight line to his destination. You may not know where that
is but you know about where it is because he is going directly there.



Well, I really don't understand. First, I don't know what kind of
"processing" is performed by the ATC computers, and I don't know what is
meant by "stops processing" or "rejected".


It means nothing because it doesn't happen on an active flight plan. If
I try to make an ammendment and the computer doesn't recognize the fix
then it will just reject the ammendment but the original active flight
plan remains in effect.


When the computer *successfully*
processes the plan, what is different from what happens when it "stops
processing" at some point?


It doesn't, don't worry about it.




Why is it not the same
situation with just GPS airport-to-airport direct, with no enroute fixes?
Do all the computers store all the airports?


No. My computer stores the airports in my center and some big airports
in the other centers.


I know that when I file direct
to Podunksville Muni several centers away, nobody along the route seems to
have any idea where that airport is, but nothing is bollixed up.


Exactly. If your flight plan was originally accepted by AFSS or DUATS
then it will work along your entire route.




It would be useful to know more about the capability of center and approach
control computers in terms of their databases of fixes.


The approach controls don't have their own computer databases of fixes.
Everything runs by modem thru the center computer.

because Newps says they "fix" those kind of
flight plans when they see them,


We offer to get rid of the garbage in the flight plan. Sometimes they
want to keep it in there for training but most of the time they are
happy to just go direct airport to airport.




Any help in getting this sorted out and understood will be appreciated.


Now, go to your nearest TRACON and get a tour. Then ask the controller
to file some flight plans thru his FDIO and you will get a better
understanding and you will see the computer accept some routings and
reject others.