Waypoint lat/long INS data

[gjet]

I have a dumb question regarding the INS in your panels(727advc). I love the realism the INS adds but I am getting frustrated finding easily accessible lat/long data. The FS9 flightplanner doesn't give you accurate lat/long coordinates. Routefinder does but you can't export to an FS9 flightplan. I tried manually dragging and dropping a GPS direct flightplan in FS9 to each coordinate on my routefinder list but you have to zoom in so far to read the waypoint names you lose the track. You could fly the route in the time it takes to edit the flightplan. I could fly the routefinder coordinates but then ATC doesn't recognize the flightplan. What do the rest of you that fly the INS-equipped birds use for waypoint entries? Is there a relatively simple way to do this?

Thanks

Gary

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Firstly .... no question is ever a dumb question !

Secondly .... all I can tell you is the INS incorporated into our B727 panels (those versions equipped with it) is based on precisely the same logic as that featured in some of our B707/720 panels !

Thirdly .... INS NAV is probably the only feature of any of our panels that I'm not currently familiar with, so, unfortunately, I can't assist you here !

It's an open forum though .... to anyone else who is able to provide intelligent advice.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[dirtybird]

Don't know how relevant this suggestion is. I tried the INS using a gps filed course and entered way point coordinates available. It Seems like
my last flight had simililarities with GPS flight plan course. like a modern jet, the GPS course was locked with the nav setting for quite some time but suddenly fell off the nav lock setting on the autopilot. Does the INS include autopilot nav/course lock with the coordinate way points? Or is it just a tool to compare course track with manual flying and course corrections.?

[gjet]

Thanks for the replies. To be honest, I have never flown the 707 with INS. I spend more time in the DC-8s and 727s. Once I get the co-ordinates, I usually can get the INS operational. It's finding readily accessible co-ordinates that is the problem.

Dirtybird, your approach may be the way to go for now barring a payware flightplanner. I'll try the GPS FS9 plan and enter co-ordinates from that as close as I can.

Thanks again,

Gary

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

One more thing I do need to say .... and forgot to say last night when replying to this thread ....

It's known that this INS (as featured in some of our B707 and B727 panels) won't work with FS NAV or any other flight planning navigation program.

This INS is/"should be" more-or-less independent. On the basis of forum posts I've seen over the past few years .... it does work .... only I'm still not yet familiar with it's use/programming.

Just for the record .... I've actually been requesting a thorough and in-depth INS NAV tutorial for a very long time now, but, as yet, nothing has been forthcoming

I'm sorry I can't assist further .... but once again .... this subject is "OPEN" to any intelligent opinion

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[gjet]

Hi Mark:

Yes, the INS works fine. It's just getting the data to input at flight set up that I find frustrating and that provides a flightplan compatible with FS9 ATC.

Cheers,

Gary

[skyking]

Not sure if this is what you want to read, but in the real world you have to enter the coords for each waypoint manually. This is usually taken directly from the flight plan or from an av chart. Naturally, all waypoints entered are checked by each pilot against the written form. This is all done at the gate prior to the Pre-Start Check. I never flew for real with a GPS, but one thing I liked about the INS is that it isn't dependent upon any outside signals.

[gjet]

Thanks, Skyking.

I have been entering the co-ordinates manually. I use routefinder to give me the lat/long of the waypoints. So far, so good. The problem is that routefinder does not have an exportable FS9 flightplan format so that your route will not be recognized by FS ATC and therefore no IFR. If you use the fs9 flightplanner, the lat/long co-ordinates are not easily found. The tiny map in the flightplanner is hopeless. It seems you have to have it one way or the other. I was looking for a database that had lat/long date for waypoints as inputs on the FS9 flightplanner. I suspect I will have to seek out some online sectionals.

Cheers,

Gary

[gjet]

Duh, now I feel stupid. Apparently if you use the FS9 flightplanner all 9 waypoints are already entered in the INS for you. I just set up a flight from Iqaluit to Montreal in the First Air 727, aligned the MSU, switched the CDU to WPT and cycled through the waypoints. It took me right up to the last VOR for CYUL. I guess one shouldn't look for problems where none exist. I and my red face will be slinking back to the cockpit now. Thanks guys.

Cheers,

Gary

[skyking]

Glad you got it sorted out. Sometimes it just takes awhile.

Have fun !

[gjet]

Just a followup for those that may not be previously aware of this (guilty) and then I'll let this horse die with dignity. I discovered that once you have saved the FS9 flightplan go to the Flightsim files folder in documents. Change the .pln file extension to txt and you can read all the waypoints and their lat/long co-ordinates. Don't forget to rename the file to .pln extension when you are finished printing it or otherwise recording the data for input to the INS. I knew there had to be a simpler way!

Cheers!

Gary

[Dan K. Hansen]

You do not have to rename the file to open it in Notepad.... just open Notepad, and Drag the file into it...

[Harerton Dourado - HJG]

I discovered an app that convert a generated routefinder route to FS *.pln format.

You can get it here:
ivao.hu/gergely/rf2fp_v2.zip

[gjet]

Thank you for that link, Harerton. That's just what I was looking for!

Merry Christmas to you and to all,

Gary