+FF and PE Aware

[barcman1967]

I have noticed on PE Aware that when I file a VFR FP Direct, and then request FF, a +FF is added to the flight plan which, in PE Aware, shows a navaid of Harmes Furgus Falls in the filed plan.

This may be OCD but I would prefer to see my filed route without the Fergus Falls when I ask for FF (which I plan on doing a LOT when flying VFR).

Forgive me if this has already been addressed.

Cheers!

[Justin Lerner]

Odd, normally I see my routing or the clearance issued, with +FF in the remarks. Sometimes I put it there myself if I know I'm requesting it. I don't know if this is helpful or annoying to the controllers, but nobody has said anything either way. I don't think controllers are supposed to be aware of your actual filed flight plan since you're VFR, even if you file a VFR plan. So it really doesn't matter what you put in as the routing (within reason), but what I believe the controllers will do is once you're given a squawk or a clearance, they will amend your strip so the next one you're handed off to knows your story and you're easier to remember. This is reflected as alterations in the original flight plan you see on PEAware. Though I don't remember seeing my entire route erased.

[barcman1967]

Agreed!! Just not sure how the back end works and how this can be corrected - again, not a huge issue, just a minor deal. Totally get why they would do it.

[Peter Grey]

Hello,

This was a mistake on the part of our controllers. We do use some codes (like FF) in flight plans for our own internal tracking. In a perfect world we do this in a way that doesn't appear on PEaware, however every once in a while our controllers make a mistake which results in it being shown on PEaware. It should never end up in the route section. We've identified the controller who accidentally did this and let him know about the mistake.

Sometimes I put it there myself if I know I'm requesting it. I don't know if this is helpful or annoying to the controllers, but nobody has said anything either way

Our preference is that you don't do this. It's not hurtful if you do but it can cause confusion in a couple of cases. The codes in a lot of cases are more complex then FF and putting the wrong code in can confuse a controller in some cases. Additionally it's not something you'd do in the real world.

I don't think controllers are supposed to be aware of your actual filed flight plan since you're VFR, even if you file a VFR plan. So it really doesn't matter what you put in as the routing (within reason), but what I believe the controllers will do is once you're given a squawk or a clearance, they will amend your strip so the next one you're handed off to knows your story and you're easier to remember. This is reflected as alterations in the original flight plan you see on PEAware. Though I don't remember seeing my entire route erased.

We don't normally erase the entire route of a flight plan if the flight plan has an actual route in it. Some people write plain text in the route which can mess up PEAware, in those cases we will delete the route (especially if it's different from what the pilot has requested).

[Justin Lerner]

Our preference is that you don't do this. It's not hurtful if you do but it can cause confusion in a couple of cases. The codes in a lot of cases are more complex then FF and putting the wrong code in can confuse a controller in some cases. Additionally it's not something you'd do in the real world.

True! Thank you.

[barcman1967]

Thanks for the follow up Peter!