Other planning tools

NOTAMS

Many of us use SkyDemon or a similar app for NOTAM’s. NATS is the official source of UK NOTAM’s which can be reached here. You an also register on the same page for a free account if you don’t have one

Controlled airspace portal

NATS are trialling a portal from which you can pre-notify class D transits of London controlled airspace. Its use is not mandatory, but the advance warning (1 hour before crossing) allows controllers to plan. It doesn’t guarantee that transit will be approved, but so far it has worked for me even at very busy times.

Skydemon

Skydemon home page and page to login to your online Skydemon account from another computer, or to manage flight plans etc.

W&B

This website has W&B calculators for many different aircraft and a blank spreadsheet which can be customised. Always ensure you are using the data provided for your specific aircraft from its W&B data sheet.

Take off and landing performance

CAA recommended take-off and landing performance factors can be found here. I haven’t found a website which computes these data, but the GASCo App  for smart phones does this. Also available for iPhone

PLOG’s and planners

	Our integrated VFR planner Allows you to get all your planning (W&B, weather, PLOG, take-off and landing performance) on one A4 sheet. Once the planning is complete, fold it to A5 to fit your kneeboard, so that you won’t be distracted by the planning data in flight.
	Simple VFR PLOG Is the VFR planner too complicated for your needs? Then here is a simple VFR PLOG. Folded to A5, so that the planning part is hidden in flight.
	VFR kneeboard reference card This reference card has handy tools, rules of thumb, estimators and reminders for VFR flight planning and execution
	IFR kneeboard training planner Best practice is to plan and brief on the approach plate. While training, this simple approach planner, set alongside an approach plate, will take you through the planning for holds and approaches. It is designed to be folded to A5 size and laminated as a kneeboard reference card.
	IFR Training PLOG This A4 sheet completes our suite of PLOG’s for IFR flights

All these best-practice PLOG’s, together with a short user guide, can be found on the Downloads area

International flights

Many of us file flight plans directly from SkyDemon or a similar app. This link gives access to the NATS AFPEX online system.

GAR form

A GAR form is required for all flights inbound from EU countries. It is also required for flights both to and from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and all non-EU countries. The form can be input online here. You need to buy credits as there is a fee £2 to £3 per submission, depending on how many credits are purchased. The fee is refined if the flight is cancelled.

European AIP’s

Here is Eurocontrol’s index of AIP’s. For some of these AIP’s you may need an account (free); others are accessible without an account.

Fuel drawback

Fuel drawback form. Fuel drawback is the term for the HMRC scheme which allows a pilot to re-claim tax paid on fuel which is exported from the UK on a foreign trip (even if some of that fuel subsequently is re-imported). You also need a Government Gateway account which you may have already if you file tax returns online. Otherwise, apply online here. This page lists the duty rate for the your type of fuel.

Android app’s

Below are some Android app’s which are useful for planning.

	Sportys E6B All the functions of a whizz wheel on a simple phone app.
	GASCO take-off and landing performance calculator Calculates take-off and landing performance using CAA recommended safety factors.
	Runway cross-wind calculator Does what it says on the tin!

There are also some app’s useful for training, which are listed on the Training page

UK Rules & Regulations

Neither the UK Air Navigation Order nor SERA (Standard European Rules of the Air) are light reading. The CAA’s Skyway Code is a useful reference document.
CAA6395_Skyway_Code_AW_160817_PRINT