Charts Cause Too Much Work!

There is too much labor intensive work between the Maps and the Charts during multiple approaches.  As I suggest below, some software changes and you can GREATLY reduce the workload.

Here is what I mean.  This was a REAL IPC that I just did and it was intensive flying, not because of the flying I was doing, but because of the WORK I was doing with the 540:

In IPC training we went to 3 airports in quick succession.

FIRST was to KCYO:

I set up direct to airport KCYO.

Then as we are flying, I enter the approach and pick the approach to the runway.  I picked GPS 28 to KCYO. 

Now when I go to pick the chart it is not already automatically loaded.  The last approach I did was a week before to KOSU.  The charts I am to pick from are all KOSU charts.

So now, as I’m buzzing along trying to load in that VERY SMALL BOX KCYO I am not ready for entry into the hold because I’m still trying to bring up the chart.

I finally get it loaded.

Do the hold and the approach.

NOW, its off to KLCK for an ILS.

SECOND approach to KLIC:

First thing I do is hit Direct KLCK.

I now load ABOVE KLCK on the FMC the ILS 23 approach.

Now, its time for a new chart right?

And of course the airport did NOT auto load to KLCK as its still on KCYO.  Interesting, even thought I am now Direct KLIC the flight in the FMS still shows KCYO and the GPS 28 approach under KLIC.

After working on getting all that done, I FINALLY get the chart up.

BUT now, I have forgotten to load the LOCALIZER frequency into the NAV.

So just as I am about to reach the localizer, I get it plugged to the nav and it’s a turn into the localizer.

THIRD approach to KOSU:

FINALLY, we are headed to KOSU for the GPS 27L WAAS approach

I hit direct to KOSU.

I must now load the approach into the FMS.

That is all fairly easy, pick the approach.

However, even though I have entered the approach and entered it, the plane Nav GPS is still going to KOSU.

OK, I fix that and highlight the IAP at KLONY.

OOPS, time to get the chart.

YEP, Charts are set for KLCK.

Again, fiddle with the little box and forget to hit the enter button and when I go to pick my chart, back to KLCK we go.

Now, lesson learned, hit "enter" after in little chart box I type KOSU.

NOW, I pick chart GPS 27L WAAS.

NOW, ATC turns me to FAF BEFORE I get to the IAF.

I’m now concerned because I am unsure if I turn BEFORE the IAF will the 540 NAV want me to fly to the IAF KLONY?

I take no changes and drop down to the FAF fix and hit direct to and the NAV system fly’s properly as each fix pops up correctly. 

ALL OF THIS WAS A LOT OF WORK.

OK, here is my STRONG suggestion.

When I hit “direct to” ANY airport, the system should know that CHARTS to ANY other airport are a DANGER to me.

It should be simple to auto load the Chart selector airport key to whatever airport is selected in the "direct to" and get that heading.

FURTHER, if I select the approach to ANY airport, the chart should ALSO automatically select that approach.  I just selected in the FMS the approach I want.

It is WAY TOO MUCH WORK on approach to have to do all these manual entries when the in a simple program change to the system can 1) Select the airport charts to match the airport I’m going “direct to” or frankly whenever its in the flight plan and coming up.

Next, once the approach is selected, again, the CHART for that approach should automatically come up.

Now, let’s say I’m flying a SID or a STAR.

This should be no problem to have it auto loaded  as I do NOT need a SID or STAR from an airport that I departed or landed last week.

Load the STAR chart first into the FMS, then the approach plate.  This way the FIRST chart I get is the STAR.  When I go back to select charts button, now the the airport and approach plate are pre-loaded.

If I have a flight with SID and STAR and approach plate then load them in that order.

        So if I depart from first airport and I load in STAR then the departure airport is selected and when I ask to select chart, there is my SID.

        Now after en-route and I’m headed to a STAR and its preloaded, when I open charts again, boom, there is my correct STAR.

         When I am close enough and I get inside the STAR the airport and approach is now ready for me to load into the FMS.

When I load it into the FMS it will automatically pull that approach plate.

         Finally, bad weather over destination, diverting to alternate.  As soon as I hit Direct to the Alternate, all new airport is now selected. 

         As soon as I am told which approach I will get and I load it into the FMS, then BOOM when I open “select chart” there is my approach plate.