Who files the flight plans for the airlines?

I was wondering rhe other day, who determines the route the airliners fly? I know the pilot has the final say so and makes the ultimate decision, but does he have a big map and lays out each and every waypoint; uses more advanced software like a GPS but geared for planes for routing; the airlines says "here is the route we always fly, fly it"?

They fly standard routes (pre-loaded in the FMC) with deviations as necessary for weather/traffic etc

 

Google "high altitude enroute charts' and jet airways

Airlines have a flight operations department with flight dispatchers that help with route planning. Search Wikipedia for the article on flight dispatchers for more details.

They fly standard routes (pre-loaded in the FMC) with deviations as necessary for weather/traffic etc

 

Google "high altitude enroute charts' and jet airways

 

Yeah, I know about jetways and Victorways. Thanks for the forward to google.

 

Airlines have a flight operations department with flight dispatchers that help with route planning. Search Wikipedia for the article on flight dispatchers for more details.

 

So then does the pilot decide the route and then oks it with dispatch?

At the airline I got a tour of, it was the flight dispatchers that usually worked out the route. The pilots would then be briefed on the route and weather, and both together would approve the flight.

Interesting to say the least. Where was the tour you took?

Interesting to say the least. Where was the tour you took?

 

It was a number of years ago with Air Canada Regional or Jazz (the tour was around the time Air Canada's regional airlines were merged together) in CYYC. Here's another short description of the dispatcher role.

 

http://www.careersinaviation.ca/career-paths/flight-operations-dispatch.html

My father was a UAL pilot and captain for a long long time, until the forced retirement due to age limit got him. Needless to say, I went on more than a few trip with him as a younger man (late 60's early 70's time) and the first and last thing they do on arrival at the airport is go into ops and get their flight plan from them. They then get (in the same place) a weather briefing. Then the cockpit crew get's together and hold their breifing. They discuss the route, weather along the way and at both ends, diverts, alternates, at least two or three emergency procedures. All this is in a room at ops, and if they need they can go get clarification about any of the above for the appropriate person there-in. The captain then signs for the plane with ops, and files the flightplan (about 2 dozen copies going here, there and evrywhere, it seemed) with the FAA rep, usually in the same room. After all this, there is usually time for a cup of coffee or whatever in the pilot's lounge, and informal chatting, then they "walk" to the aircraft. At KSFO (home base for us) there is a shuttle bus taking them to the terminals, then they walk through the same "security" procedures as everyone else (or they used to) and to the gate their bird is at. Then they do a walkaround outside the aircraft, and then and only then park it in the cockpit.

So, to short-answer your question, the pilots actually file the flight plane with the FAA, since the captain is the final authority on that flight from the time he signs for the bird in ops till he signs it back to them at the other end (even if "the other end" is the same airport...round-and-back route), but it's pretty much mostly developed by the ops guys long before the pilots arrive for their flight.

Does this answer your question? I am dredging up some long ago memories here, so the details may be a tad off in spots, but it's how I remember it.

Pat☺

Yea, that was exactly the answer I was looking for, PhantomTweak! And I doubt procedures have changed too much since then, though probably a little more automated now in one aspect or another. Back then, I'd bet a lot of those pilots were the old airboys of WWII. What an age it was to be in then.

 

i am charlie

I don't know, first hand, how automated/computerized it all is nowadays, although I imagine totally, any more. I haven't had a chance to go with my father for free since I turned 18 and joined the Corps. No longer a "dependant", and too old, both.

Still, although the methods of may have changed, I imagine, knowing the FAA, the essential procedures are still the same, just replace the word "paper" with computer, really...

 

Pat☺

You are correct. It's roughly the same. Not much has changed except that the flight planning and performance numbers are highly calculated by computer and printed on the release at the airport. The captain signs the release to agree on the planning and leaves a copy at the station before closing. However since there is ACARS, the alternates are completely at captains discretion since Wx and notams can be sent by datalink from dispatch to the flight. Also now both CAPT and FO have to sign the release stating that they are physically fit to perform flight duties. Something new since the Colgan crash in Buffalo.

In addition, airlines are looking into going paperless releases via EFBs to download the release at the gate via Wifi and electronically sign the release. Also possibly doing the same for the aircraft maintenance log. Interesting stuff happening.