ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

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janders
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ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by janders »

A couple weeks ago I took the DA62 on a cross half the country flight: KGYY-KDHT-KSGU-KAPC-KCPR-KGYY. On the KAPC-KCPR leg, ForeFlight told me to expect the MER3 departure procedure from KAPC. ForeFlight complained it was unable to find MER3, even though I can look it up manually under KAPC procedures and the DA62's G1000 handled it just fine via the procedures button. Has anyone had a similar experience?
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Boatguy
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by Boatguy »

Merlot never gets any respect...

But seriously, I've had mixed luck with SIDs in FF. You'd get the same error with the CHRLY8 from KSTS (assigned on every IFR departure).

Enter KSTS KTRK, select Procedures, select the CHRLY8, it inserts it into the FPL and then flags it red saying it's an invalid transition or runway. Even if you assign a runway to KSTS, you get the error.

I just tried entering KAPC KCPR and when I selected Procedures, MER3 was not offered. But when I entered KLGB KSTS, it did offer the ANAHM1 and inserted it into the FPL with no error.

My guess is that it's because some SIDs (e.g., both CHRLY8 and MER3) are just an assigned heading and a minimum climb rate without any waypoints. The transition is a waypoint over the airport and part of the lost comm procedure. If I enter the LIZRD5 from KAPC, which has a series of waypoints, then it's happy.

Since the "heading only" SIDs have the heading assigned with the TO clearance there is no point to putting them into the G1000 flight plan anyway. I set my AP to HDG mode, dial up the assigned heading, and then when I enable the AP, away I go. The SID is really just the first vector. It's more of an annoyance than a problem.

Did you try asking FF support?
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by Rich »

FF in my iPad shows not "MER3" but "Merlot Three" spelled out, with a code of "MER3.SGD"
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by Boatguy »

Rich wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:46 pm FF in my iPad shows not "MER3" but "Merlot Three" spelled out, with a code of "MER3.SGD"
And what happens if you load MER3.SGD into a flight plan?
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by Rich »

Boatguy wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:39 am
Rich wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:46 pm FF in my iPad shows not "MER3" but "Merlot Three" spelled out, with a code of "MER3.SGD"
And what happens if you load MER3.SGD into a flight plan?
I just now tried it. It doesn’t recognize that either. If I touch KAPC in the flight plan to select the departure it is no listed as an option. I think the previous post about nonspecific route DPs is the story.
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by Rich »

I thought I'd try to replicate this at a different airport. Specifically Paine Field (KPAE). This has only one DP: Paine 6. It also has no actual routes. It's a "do what I tell you after takeoff" DP. One can not select it as a DP in the flight plan. In this case, it means no DP is available.
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by janders »

Boatguy wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:44 pm Did you try asking FF support?
I just sent them an email, will report back with any advice.
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by janders »

N157DA wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:07 pm
Boatguy wrote: Mon Jun 27, 2022 9:44 pm Did you try asking FF support?
I just sent them an email, will report back with any advice.

Hi Jonathan,

Derrick here with the Flight Operations Team.

For this departure procedure MER3, the runway transitions are defined as headings, or ATC assigned headings, then vectors to join assigned route. If it was only specific headings off the runway we could capture that portion but with the "or ATC assigned..." we are unable to include it on the route.

We have an internal ticket open to address the app's current behavior when MER3 is entered, although I cannot forecast when this may be improved but we are working on the issue.

Blue Skies,

Derrick
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Re: ATC Assigned Departure Procedures and ForeFlight

Post by dmloftus »

Do you desire the SID if FF doesn't track correctly? While inconvenient, I guess there is always the option to enter No SID in the comments and have ATC spell out your waypoints.
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