Add Mode
This mode is used to add a record to the file for a destination for which there are presently no Alternates on file. If there are Alternates already listed for the destination you want, and you desire to add more to the list, you should use the Edit mode.
Alternates Table Fields
Note: The Alternate routine uses the first route on file for the destination-Alternate City-Pair. If none exists, it then attempts to build an MTTA route. If this fails, as a last resort the routine uses the Great Circle track and Airways distance from the Alternates file. If a flight level has been specified, then this level is used for the construction of the MTTA.
Rearranging the Priority of Alternates
The Flight Plan program displays the Alternates in the order in which they appear in the file, or defaults to the first in the file depending on the entry made. Note: It is recommended that the Alternates for each destination be kept in the preferred priority sequence.
To change the priority of a particular Alternate:
Move the cursor to the line which you want that Alternate to occupy, and press <Ctrl>-I. This will insert a blank line at this position.
Enter the Identifier for the station.
A warning prompt will appear, indicating that this Alternate is already in the table, and asking if you want to switch priorities. Respond by entering <Y>, the selected Alternate will be moved to the new blank line. Entering <N> will permit you to select another station. Note: Individual Alternates may also be deleted by using <Ctrl>-D.
Edit Mode
Entering <E> from the Command Line will put you into Edit mode. In this mode you may do the following tasks:
change the priority sequence,
add more Alternates for a destination (up to a maximum of 30), or delete one or more Alternates (using <Ctrl D>).
Note: If there are more than 15 Alternates for a particular destination, you may move to the second page of an Alternates table by using <Ctrl F>. <Ctrl B> can be used to shift from the second page back to the first.
Once you have completed your edits, you may escape to a confirmation prompt by entering <Ctrl E>.
Delete
Delete mode should only be used when you want to delete ALL of the Alternates associated with a particular destination. Generally, this is in preparation for deletion of the destination from the Airports data file. If you only want to delete one Alternate from record, within the Edit mode use the <Ctrl D> function.
When you enter the ICAO code for a destination airport, the program will display the table of Alternates for that station, along with a prompt to confirm that you do want to delete them all. A <Y> response deletes the destination and all of its Alternates from the file, a<N> response clears the screen and re-positions the cursor in the Destination ICAO field for entry of another station.
The following descriptions represent the typical access and privileges afforded to users designated as Dispatch Managers/Supervisors. Users with dispatcher privileges will have limited access to a subset of the screens presented.