ASP® is an Excel workbook which utilizes the information, in the POH, in a manner which allows the user to obtain much needed information quickly and accurately without having to resort to lookup tables, graphs, hand-held calculators, plotters, CSG, etc.
Moreover, some additional uses are:
This workbook, however, does not relieve anyone of performing preflight actions as required by FAR.
Preflight actions are the responsibility of the Pilot-In-Command.
The hard-copy version of the manual, that accompanies the workbook, is also supplied on the media as an color-coded MS-Word file and as a (color) PDF file.
Since I started flying, back in 1995, I've used this tool to plan all my flights, whether local or cross country. I quickly came to the realization, during my time as a student, that planning flights involved a lot of work and yet that same amount of work, invariably, needed to be repeated or a large portion modified/redone just to accommodate a change in a variable -- often weather related. It became apparent that the same high level of personal application, accuracy and attention to detail needed to be maintained for each and every flight.
Having to, repeatedly, spend a known, significant amount of time, in order to come up with a robust plan -- only to have it frequently rendered obsolete or inadequate (because of a change in one or more of the controlling factors) -- can have the effect of undermining even the strongest of wills. Yet, apathy in flight planning is not only illegal but downright dangerous.
ASP evolved primarily to make the task of adequate flight planning easier but will prove to be a very useful tool to those wishing to obtain the most out of their particular plane.
Since 1996, I've compared the post-flight live data, with that predicted, and have been generally pleased with the results. Whilst flying I've been pleased with the predicted figures, especially with regard to headings, ETEs, time to climb, distance to top of climb, etc. I've found it especially useful when I've had to change a planned flight (destination, flight parameters, etc.) and needed real up-to-the-minute data REAL fast on which to base a decision!
I, personally, don't like to be rushed, I like to have all my ducks lined up before I go. I like being able to execute a plan, but if something makes me have to change that plan, (Mother nature has a habit of letting us know who's boss sometimes!) in some way, shape or form, then I like, even better, being able to accommodate the change and come up with, in minutes and without distress, a new plan as robust as the original --- and with which I'm comfortable!
Proper use of ASP will allow you to plan for and obtain much needed information concerning a flight using a particular airplane. Planning will go that much quicker, there will be much less drudgery involved and yet accuracy will be consistent throughout. On NO-GO days, or long before a proposed flight, you'll even be able to play what if.... In addition, as often with flights that have been planned the night before, on the actual day we invariably have to rely on less accurate predictions and adjust to the new environment simply because having to do the calculations all over again would be prohibitive. Not any more! By simply entering fresher data, from e.g. DUATS, the (re)calculated figures give a more accurate picture of what to expect... on that flight, that day, in those particular conditions.
Moreso, if an unexpected change occurs and you (quickly) need to know its effect on the flight parameters, e.g. a last minute change to the baggage/passengers (implying new weights, c/g's, performance) --- unforecast ceilings or winds/weather (a passing front, for example implying a possible change to e.g. the cruise altitude [and we all know all the values that 'simply' changing it will affect]), etc. etc. ...then you can handle the change --- and with aplomb!
If you have comments / suggestions, please drop me a line. Also, if you have (own/use) a particular plane for which you would like me to create an equivalent tool, using the information in your plane's POH, then please contact me. At a minimum, I'd need you to forward me a legitimate copy of the plane's POH so I could see if it was within my scope, etc.
If I think it's possible then we can negotiate terms, if I don't then I'll return the POH. I do not do such work for a living, it's just a hobby, consequently my availability is a tad limited.
Gerald P. Murray
Passed the written test with a score of 100% (first attempt).
Passed the
private pilot flight test (first attempt).
Update April 20th: Passed the Instrument Written with a score of 100% (first attempt).
...now getting ready
for the Instrument flight test.
Update: Passed the Instrument checkride (first attempt) 10/12/1999 :-)
...now studying for the commercial.
Update: Passed the Commercial checkride (first attempt) 12/1/2001.
Gerald Murray
CPL-ASEL-IA
12/1/2001
ASP
(currently) exists for the 1980 C-172N, 1985 172P and 1980 C-152 II.
Minimum
requirement: Microsoft Excel version 5.0/7.0 under Windows 3.X,
Windows 95 or Excel V8 which runs under Office 97.
You may download a demo version, of either, which will expire after a period of time.
NOTE: An inherent amount of inaccuracy has been built into these demo versions (especially with respect to certain "wind calcs" used for climb & cruise) to "discourage extended reliance" should the counter be hacked/disabled.
The REAL version(s) are already up to V1.5, these demos are merely slightly-inaccurate V1's.
Some Visual Basic code, contained in the demos, will only run under the particular version of Excel for which it is written, so, do yourself a favor and refrain from downloading the demo version for Excel 5/7 and attempt to run it under Office 97 or vice versa.
Last update: FRIDAY JULY 26TH. 2002
(expiration parameters updated)
Feel free to download either of these demo versions PLUS this readme-type file: (HINT -- USE "SHIFT-CLICK-LEFT-MOUSE-BUTTON" UNDER NETSCAPE)
Feel free to download either of these demo versions: (HINT -- USE "SHIFT-CLICK-LEFT-MOUSE-BUTTON" UNDER NETSCAPE)