| Frequently Asked Questions for Flitesoft
Q. Flitesoft won't download updates or charts. What's wrong? A. By far the most common problem is a firewall which is blocking our access to the internet (AOL's security software is a common one). Add these programs to your firewall's "exceptions" or "allowed" list: FS.EXE and SERVICE.EXE (both in the C:\WINFS folder). There is NO setting in Flitesoft that will alter this and nothing we can change in our software that will affect the firewall - you need to tell the firewall to let us through. (If we could circumvent the firewall then it wouldn't be doing a very good job!) We are unable to answer technical questions about most firewall software, so if you have questions you will need to consult the documentation or contact the firewall software developer. Q. I file a flight plan through DUAT, but it is not available when I try to open it. Why not? A. After Flitesoft sends your plan to DUAT, DUAT will show you all the fields (time enroute, color, etc.) and ask for conformation that all are correct. At this point, you need to confirm that everything is right. If you simply close the window, DUAT will time out and ignore the plan. Q. Why don't I get winds aloft from DUAT? A. Make sure that your departure time is not earlier than the current time. For example, if it is 6:30, don't use a departure time of 6:15 - otherwise, DUAT will think you mean tomorrow at 6:15. DUAT does not have winds that far in advance.
Q. When I look at a Low Altitude Enroute chart and a Flitesoft Flight Log, the VOR radial numbers sometimes don't match. Why not? A. Every VOR has two numbers associated with its variance from true north. The first is its VARIATION, the difference between magnetic north and true north at the location of the VOR. The second number is the VOR's DECLINATION, the difference between true north and the direction the VOR is oriented (in other words, the difference between true north and the direction the zero degree radial is pointed). Ideally the DECLINATION is the same as the VARIATION but it can (and does) vary as much as 5 degrees. Flitesoft uses VARIATION when computing the course. The DECLINATION is used to calculate radials on charts. When the variation is not the same as the declination, Flitesoft's calculated course does not match the chart's radial so it appears like an error. But if you fly the course given by Flitesoft, and follow the radial given by the chart, the two methods should agree. In other words, both Flitesoft and the chart are correct. Q. Why do I have to answer all of the DUAT prompts when I dial DUAT? A. When Flitesoft dials DUAT there may be a 6-8 second hesitation before it sends your access code or password. If you immediately start typing, you abort Flitesoft's automatic operation - you must answer all prompts and no weather information will be downloaded. Q. DUAT dials and connects but I never get a briefing. What am I doing wrong? A. Here are some things a customer should know before trying to obtain a weather briefing: Pilot Information 1. From within Flitesoft select File-Pilot-Check. (If you have not entered pilot information, select File-Pilot-New). 2. Verify that you have entered an access code and a password for DTC and/or CSC. 3. If you have entered an access code and password, click the OK button at the bottom of the dialog box. If you have not entered an access code or password, refer to the next section: Obtaining DUAT Access code and Password. 4. Once you have entered an access code and password, click the OK button at the bottom of the dialog box. Aircraft Information 1. Select File-Aircraft-Check. 2. On the General tab, be sure that the "Model" field contains the proper entry (use C182, not Cessna 182), and verify that you have an aircraft tail number entered. A tail number should start with the letter N (with no spaces between the N and the number). 3. Click the OK button at the bottom of the dialog box. Weather Briefing Setting for DTC or CSC (a 3 step process) 1. From within the Weather Briefing Dialog box, click the DTC or CSC button. 2. Make sure that you have Standard Route Briefing or Selected Reports selected. 3. Click Save. Obtaining a DUAT access code and password. (a 6 step process) 1. From within the Weather Briefing Dialog box, click the DTC or CSC button. 2. Select No script-manual operation. 3. Select the Dial button. 4. When you connect with DTC, follow the on-screen prompts for a new user. When you connect with CSC, enter your last name, then your airman number. 5. From that point on DTC or CSC will recognize you as a new user and will guide you in obtaining an access code and password. You will need a pen and paper to copy down the information. 6. Once you have your access code and password, click on your name in Flitesoft's toolbar and enter that information on your Pilot Information window. Q. City names in the Worldwide version aren't the same as I am used to. Why are they different? A. The city names in the program came from the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, formerly known as the Defense Mapping Agency. Their data was the only reasonably reliable and extensive source we could find (other than licensing some commercial source and tacking another royalty onto the updates). In most places they use the local spelling of a city name as opposed to the "traditional" English/American spelling - for example, Moskva instead of Moscow, Nurnberg instead of Nuremberg, or El-Qahira instead of Cairo. Many of these are listed in the help file. Q. Why can't I add fuel to my flight? A. There are three possibilities: a. If you are using an aircraft you have set up yourself, make sure you have defined at least one fuel tank, and that it has a maximum capacity greater than zero. This is the most common problem. b. Make sure your departure point is an airport, not a VOR. c. Make sure the Mode column on the Worksheet for the departure point is set to LAND. Q. I added an airplane and now Flitesoft will not operate properly. A. Chances are you have left out some vital information that Flitesoft needs to make valid calculations. When entering new aircraft data it is important to have information on the following: 1. Climb-Cruise-Descent 2. Weight and Balance envelope. 3. Payload moment arm chart. 4. Max takeoff, ramp, landing and fuel weight. 5. Empty aircraft weight with CG. All of the aircraft that come with the Flitesoft CD provide a good example for entering aircraft data. Also, if you fly an aircraft that we do not have in our library, send the weight & balance and performance data to us and we will enter the information for free. Q. I added my own aircraft. Everything looks okay except for the envelope. A. The problem is in the Loading Envelope in your aircraft's data. By default Flitesoft expects data to be arms measured in inches and you probably entered the data using moments. In order to enter the data correctly, you will need to convert moments to arms. To do so, take the moment and divide it by the weight on the graph. If your initial unit is in moment/1000, you will need to take (moment/1000) times 1000 and then divide it by the weight. If you continue to have problems, please do not hesitate to fax your weight and balance information to 503-829-6568. We will do the necessary calculations and fax the result back. Q. How do I install my aircraft data from the CD? A. 1. Run Flitesoft. 2. Select File-Aircraft-Import. 3. In the lower right-hand corner change your drive to the CD-ROM drive. 4. Double click on the Aircraft folder and a list of aircraft will appear in the viewer box. 5. Scroll down the list and select the aircraft you wish to import by left clicking and then clicking OK. 6. To activate the aircraft select File-Aircraft-Select. Q. Whenever I get a weather briefing, Flitesoft says that my takeoff time is greater than twelve hours from now. A. Check the time shown in the Type/Time box (click the Tools menu and select Type/Time). There are two possible answers: 1. Is your clock format set to 12- or 24-hour? If it is, make sure that the offset is entered correctly. Do this by using Utilities-Settings from within Flitesoft. Below is a table that describes each of the offsets with their corresponding time zones.
2. If your clock format is set to zulu format, then zulu offset has no effect. Then you need to look at your computer clock. Click Start-Settings-Control Panel and double click the Date/Time icon. Q. How can I size and position maps and other windows? A. Instructions on using Windows itself are beyond the scope of this answer. Since many users need help sizing and moving windows, however, the following instructions are provided: How to change the width of a window How to change the height of a window How to change the width and height of a
window at the same time How to move a window Most windows in Flitesoft (for example, the Chart, Worksheet, and Profile) "remember" their size and location, and will return to the same place the next time you run Flitesoft. Q. Flitesoft runs slowly on my computer. How can I speed it up? A. Here are several suggestions: Initial map view Profile Flight Check Chart World Vector Map Q. How long has RMS been selling Flitesoft? A. Since 1984. Q. Do you have a version of Flitesoft for the Macintosh? A. No. Several users have reported that Flitesoft runs very well using the Parallels emulator. |