AirPlan4 - FAQ

AirPlan4 is our sophisticated on-site flight planning system. The program runs under the Real/32 multi-user operating system.

The system uses world-wide navigation and meteorological data which, combined with aircraft performance data and either previously saved or automatically created routes, is used to produce a flight plan. This plan is then displayed or transmitted to various local or remote devices.

The new Bureau System is hosted on servers at our Gatwick offices.
Customers pay a one-off set-up fee and purchase an agreed block of plans - thereafter, they pay a monthly subscription for the agreed contract duration (usually 12 months). They can purchase additional blocks of plans during this period, as required.

The size of the plan blocks available, the subscription and the functionality varies with the "package" chosen.

There are special package options for Resellers (International Trip Planning Companies).

Each customer has access to their own secure server - with control over their own data. These servers are continuously updated with weather, notam and navigation data.

The Bureau system is designed to be cost-effective and flexible enough to cater for all sizes of operation.

AirPlan4 is accessed through our front-end AirLink4 software, which can be obtained by FTP or a CD from us.

All you need is for this to be installed and then either a Company network connection or supported web browser and internet access. Our Support staff will talk you through the installation process and liase with your IT Department .

AirPlan4 makes use of two plug-ins. Both of which are FREE and available from Adobe.

The two plug-ins required are; Adobe PDF viewer and Adobe SVG viewer.

Security and data privacy are taken very seriously within the AirPlan4 environment. There are a range of security measures ranging from the physical security of the Data Centre itself, right through to the use of sophisticated data layering technology at a database level.

AirPlan4 isavailable either as an On-site or Bureau (hosted) system.

Unlike some other centralised applications, which were designed in the days when data exchange and integration were less important, AirPlan4 has been designed specifically to exchange information between the various software systems in normal use within an airline environment.

AirPlan4 supports several common software systems as standard. It also provides several sophisticated mechanisms to interface with other applications - from Crew scheduling right through to financial accounts systems - AirPlan4 can "talk" to these systems as if they were in the same room.

Additionally, AirData can provide an API (interface) to the manufacturers of these other systems to enable support for AirPlan4 to be integrated directly into their applications - the end benefit being a tightly integrated solution for the airline.

Historically, AirData have dealt with airlines and cargo operators, but AirPlan4 is designed to cater for all types of aircraft operator.

There is also a Bureau version of the system available for the Corporate operator, offering various packages. This has all the sophisticated features of the main system but removes some of the scheduling and accounting features more typically used by airlines.

If you only have one or two aircraft this system is ideal and can be used in a "pay as you go" manner. If you are operating several aircraft then the On-site AirPlan4 application may be more appropriate.

Context-sensitive help is included in all parts of the system as well as an on-line helpdesk and telephone access to the Support Department.

Downloadable documentation is available on all aspects of the AirPlan4 system, as well as on specialised subjects. We have also included links to relevant information, such as can be found on the websites of Eurocontrol, ICAO, Met Office, etc.

A very comprehensive Knowledge-Base website, which is continually updated, is available to all customers.

Finally, this FAQ section is designed to be a fast-track source of information on the most common sorts of questions.

We are happy to arrange on-line demonstrations of the system (using "Webex" and tele-conferencing) at mutually convenient times.

We can also make arrangements for temporary access to the basic system ("sandbox" trials) - with sufficient functionality for untrained users to get a feel for the system.

Please contact one of our HelpDesk staff and they will be happy to discuss any concerns or queries you may have and will explain in detail the various options and costs.

Most upgrade work is done on-line by our Support staff, to suit a customer's working patterns. Bureau systems are upgraded in a similar way.

This can be downloaded via the HALO website from the quick link icons running down the left hand side of the page.

Our HelpDesk is always available to assist you in this respect.

The AirPlan4 system is very intuitive to use in its basic form.

The more complex features, such as the Autoplan scheduler or setting up for optimised Random Routing require more in-depth knowledge.

Our HelpDesk is always available to assist you in this respect.