IFR Flight Plan Routes Help

[Caesar]

I just discovered PilotEdge and did my first (VFR) flight yesterday. I am very interested in getting into IFR. I have a PPL with about 200 hours but all of that in the previous century and only a limited amount of IFR training. I have an understanding of how to read approach plates, fly ILS/VOR approaches, follow VOR radials, etc.

One thing I've never done is file an IFR flight plan. I've been doing some initial research and reading on the topic but naturally I'm anxious to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

I was wondering if someone could give me some sample routes I might use to fly between (say) SMO -> LGB and LGB -> SBA. (I promise not to come here asking for flight plans every time I want to fly, I am just hoping for a few examples to get me started.)

I don't believe TEC routes were in existence when I was doing my RW flight training. Should those be what I focus on, or should I start out with more traditional waypoint-to-waypoint flight plans?

I guess I should say at this point I'm only interested in SEL aircraft (i.e., C172 or Cherokee 180).

[Kyle.Sanders]

There are crazy amounts of resources for flight route planning and along with those resources comes different techniques. There are many variables to consider as well (over water? If so, how far from shore? Nav equipment?, etc...)

I will start off by saying that my initial "go to" resources is the FAA preferred route database.
https://www.fly.faa.gov/rmt/nfdc_prefer ... tabase.jsp

Plug in the 3 letter code of the departure and arrival airport and it will give you the standard route to be flown. If no routes are listed, then now would be the time to start hand picking your route.
MyFlightRoute.com has a great deal of resources for this as well.

You could start by being a "copy cat" and looking on flightaware.com "flight finder" to see recently flown routes but keep in mind that these are not "promised" to be approved for you-(especially SID)STAR) depending on many factors such as the current runway configurations at the airports and weather.

If nothing of interest pops up, now might be the time to create your own route and there are MANY ways to do this. A simple Google search results in more than a few videos/tutorials. Someone here may even post their own methods.

Also consider completing the PilotEdge pilot rating program. Details can be found in the Pilot Center of the main PE site.

[wmburns]

Consider that IF a TEC route exists between the airport pair then in all likely hood this is what you will get.

I personally work very hard to file the "right" flight plan the first time. My goal is to have as few of route changes as possible when asking for clearance.

+1 on above. Get to know the web site myflightroute.com. On the "CRAFT" page put in the airport pair. Note on the "Route" line there will be a button if a TEC route exists. To me this is the fastest/simplest way to find out if there's a TEC route. It will be important to know the "code" for your aircraft type.

OBTW, there is a TEC route from KSMO to KLGB. For a type "Q" aircraft the route would be:
http://www.myflightroute.com/craft.php? ... itude=4000
https://skyvector.com/?ll=33.9168488453 ... SLI%20KLGB

Note, I could also see a case that going to the real world FAA for routes is a better plan. As this teaches one how to use the real world resources. Disclaimer. I am a "sim only" pilot.

Note2, even if filling the TEC route, ATC may "add" additional departure instructions to the clearance actually given.

As mentioned, if there isn't a TEC route, PEaware.pilotedge.net is also a great resource for routes flown by others on the PE network.

[kullery]

Note, I could also see a case that going to the real world FAA for routes is a better plan. As this teaches one how to use the real world resources.

Normally I would agree 100% but in the case of FAA's Preferred Route Database you have to be VERY careful. For years I have tried to notify the FAA about the inaccuracies presented by this tool but I have not had any luck. Similar errors exist in many of the popular flight planning tools (Foreflight, Skyvector, iflightplanner, etc.).

Here are just a few examples:

• AVX-LAX - FAA suggests 2 TEC routes, in fact there aren't any
• BUR-LAX - FAA suggests 12 TEC routes, in fact there are only 2
• HHR-LAX - FAA suggests 5 TEC routes, in fact there aren't any
• EDW-LAX - FAA suggests 1 TEC route, in fact there aren't any
• TOA-LAX - FAA suggests 12 TEC routes, in fact there are only 2
• TOA-SNA - FAA suggests 5 TEC routes, in fact there are only 2
• LAX-LAX - the FAA database actually lists 14 routes between LAX and LAX!!!
  

And try this one:
TOA-SAN.....The FAA actually provides the correct 13 potential routes but good luck trying to figure out which one applies to your flight!!!

The only FAA resource you can trust for TEC routes is the current A/FD.

UPDATE (2/5/2016) - I received a reply today from the National Flight Data Center which acknowledges the 200 erroneous TEC route entries in the NFDC Preferred Route Database for flights to LAX and SNA. They plan to have these entries deleted from the database effective 3/31/2016.

[Ryan B]

I've never had an issue with the FAA site

If a route says something like LAXE it means that route is only in effect if lax is landing east (which rarely happens)

SANN if I recall means SAN is landing east (rarely happens)

Other wise the J is for jet M is turboprop P is piston (technically non jet) cruise speed more than 190 KTAS and Q is prop less than 189 kts

PQ routes are typically the same and JM routes are typically the same

[Keith Smith]

Caesar, I suggest going through the I-ratings in the pilot training program: http://training.pilotedge.net. It'll step you through a series of IFR flights, including TEC routes. Welcome to the network!