In addition to selecting navaids and reporting points along an intended flight route, OPARS will select several points in the flight profile significant to aircraft performance and will identify these points with an abbreviation in the en route point details section. These OPARS-selected points are listed and identified in plain language near the end of the en route data section. In the example given in figure 4-6-1, two of these points are given: *TOC* and *SDP*. After the latitude/longitude listing, these points are identified as Top of Climb and Start of Decent Point. There are many other points that OPARS will select as significant points in the flight profile, but since those points are always explained within the CFP, we will not cover them.

The total wind factor is given near the end of the en route data section of every OPARS CFP except for the MAC format. It is the average head wind or tail wind component of the winds that will effect the aircraft on a flight leg. A negative value such as Total Wind Factor69 means that the aircraft will receive, on the average, a 69-knot tail wind for that flight leg. A positive value would indicate an overall head wind. The wind factors are already included in all calculations of fuel burn and flight times.

In addition to the total wind factor, the 9KB format provides wind factors for the first half and second half of the leg.

The MAC formats total wind factor is identified on a line that starts with CFP ALT, which means computer flight plan altitude on that line given as FWF, WF1, and WF2.

These terms are slightly different from the other formats in both the meaning of the term and the abbreviations used. The wind factors are average wind factors for cruising flight level only, and do not include climb winds, intermediate flight level winds, or decent winds. The FWF identifies the Forecast Wind Factor, or wind factor for the entire portion of the flight at cruising altitude, and WF1 and WF2 indicate wind factors for the first half and the second half of the flight at cruising altitude.

The en route data of OPARS CFPs provides the pilot specific information about the flight route and about the anticipated performance of the aircraft along the route.

OPARS CFPs provide the pilot with valuable information that may be used to properly plan and conduct a mission safely. Three types of data are provided in the CFPs Aircraft and flight identification information insures that the actual flight plan applies to the specific aircraft and mission that the pilot intends to fly. The fuel/time/weight summary provides information on the fuel and time requirements for the flight based on the cargo load. The en route data provides specific flight performance information at significant points along the flight route. While the 11 OPARS formats are tailored to contain specific details necessary for the different aviation communities, all are intended to improve flying safety and to conserve fuel.

AWSP (Air Weather Service Pamphlet) 105-52, Vol III, Weather Message Catalog, Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, IL, April 1989.

AWSP (Air Weather Service Pamphlet) 105-52, Vol 1, Facsimile Products Catalog, Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, IL, April 1989.

Berchoff, Donald H., 1stLt, USAF, 5th Weather Wing Forecaster Memo Quick Reference Guide for NMC Numerical Weather Predic-tion Models, 5WW/FM-87/004, 5WW Langley AFB, VA, June 1987.

OPARS Users Manual, FLENUM-OCEANCENINST 3710.1 Revision Draft, Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center, Monterey, CA, January 1990.

Numerical Environmental Products Manual, FLENUMOCEANCENINST 3145.2, Volume II, Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center, Monterey, CA, August 1986.

Global Weather Intercepts, AWSR 100-1, Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, IL, May 1985.

World Meteorological Organization, Guide On vol II, WMO No. 305, Geneva, Switzerland, April 1975.

International Meteorological Codes, 1984 Revised Edition, NAVAIR 50-1P-11, U.S. Department of Defense, NATSF, Philadelphia, PA, May 1986.

National Weather Service Forecasting Handbook No. 1, Facsimile Products, National Weather Service, Washington, D.C., July 1979.

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) Code, NAVOCEANCOMINST 3143.1D, Naval Oceanography Command, Stennis Space Center, MS, December 1985.

Procedures Governing Flight Weather Briefings and Preparing DD Form 175-1 and U.S. Navy Flight Forecast Folder, NAVOCEAN-COMINST 3140. 14C, Naval Oceanography Command, Stennis Space Center, MS, March 1989.

Optimum Path Aircraft Routing System (OPARS) C9B Aircraft Overwater Proce-dures Manual, FLENUMOCEANCENINST 3710.3, Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center, Monterey, CA, September 1987.

Selected Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts, DMA WWMARWEATHRBC, Defense Map-ping Agency, St. Louis, MO, 1985.

Tactical Environmental Support System Tess 2.1 Users Guide, Volume 1, Naval Oceano-graphic Office, Stennis Space Center, MS, July 1989.

Weather Communications Policy and Procedures, AWSR 105-2, Headquarters Air Weather Service, Scott AFB, IL, April 1985.

Privacy Statement - Press Release - Copyright Information. - Contact Us - Support Integrated Publishing