Here are the thoughts I shared with Mr. Bennett as I am still waiting on a response I thought I would post this for comments:
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.