(Part 2) - A brief how-to.
So these are the MFC single flight schedules that were defined by the routes in the RTMM Flight plans that RTMM initially created then later summarized in the GO TO Table. At MFC we used these same routes/flight plans to define all the MFC system Flight Schedules for VA recording purposes but in conjunction with the RTMM flight plans to be able to fly the routes of the RTMM flight plans and make them capturable in the MFC VA world.
From the previous post here, we are talking about Item 2) Flight Schedules and Routes.
The routes shown RTMM Flight plans correspond to the GO TO Table and also make reference to the assigned MFC flight number used at MFC to fly/record these flights.
2) Flight Schedules and Routes: Detail
If you examine the RTMM Flight plans, note that each FP has the same format as the GO TO Table. They are named specifying the Destination location named first followed by the Departure location. As well note that on the extreme right of each of those RTMM Flight plans is the corresponding MFC Flight Number.
That corresponding MFC Flight Number is used at MFC to find/bid/load that flight in the MFC systems and fly it and once flown, the flight log or pirep report of that flight is recorded and all pireps and it's componenets are tabled to create your own pilot's record including the flight tally (=1), the Flight number, the Departure, the destination location, aircraft used, flight duration, landing rate, fuel used, date/time flown etc). So you have a record of all the flights flown.
There are many ways to organize yourself on how you want to fly the material. Either from the GO TO TABLE info then finding the corresponding RTMM Flight plan that contains the corresponding MFC Flight number, that you fly at MFC. Or a pilot can find a flight from the RTMM Flight plans or even the RTMM flight plans listing document that is packaged within the RTMM Flight plans. That document contains all of the info from the GO Table and all the componenets of the flight plans as well as the MFC Flight number.
Alternatively one can also work through the schedules at MFC which is accessed via the Pilot Center tab > Flight Operations > View Flight Schedules - and for the route, utilize the corresponding RTMM Flight plan in the sim and/or the GO TO Table Map link.
So information is found in combination of the GO TO Table and RTMM Flight plans and MFC system and hopefully compliments each.
Variation 1:
Myself, I usually fly the single schedules at MFC by using the RTMM Flight plans "in numerical order" as my schedule to fly the scheduled flights. I started at flight number MFC0001A and now am up to MFC180A. (Still almost 500 single scheduled flights to go).
So in my case I just note the MFC Flight number associated to that RTMM Flight plan, and either bid or direct enter that flight number into Cigar Box. Fly/File when done. I use the GO TO Table for that flight plan map and any other info given on the GO TO Table pertaining to that flight.
The MFC logbook in Cigar Box or a quick view of my pireps on the MFC site (Pilot Center) keep tracks of my flights flown and last completed so there is no guess work where I left off and what is next to be flown.
Ok. Let's use another example specfic to yourself:
Variation 2:
Brian is using the GO TO Table to fly his flights: and finds a flight that you want to fly. (Which is a mirror image in table format of the all RTMM Flight Plans.)
You want to fly a flight which might be IE: Serpenthead Lake Cabin-W from Burwash CYDB, You see it in the GO TO Table or searched for it under Burwash or Serpenthead.
So in your RTMM Flight plans folder- scroll to or use hotkey S > and one can see Serpenthead Lake Cabin and you can see that the flight plan is shown as:
Serpenthead Lake Cabin (SERP) from Burwash (CYBD)-4300-L-W-------------------------- MFC0541A.pln (This is also referenced in the RTMM Flight Listings document)
Note that the MFC flight number for this RTMM Flight Plan is shown as MFC0541A.
At MFC, you can load a bid for that exact flight by going to Pilot Center > and under Flight operations select > View Flight Schedules. select>Find flights. Scroll down to flight MFC0541A and you see:
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MFC0541A (CYDB - SERP) View Details
Departure: 06:00 Arrival: 06:30 Pilot Brief
Equipment: DHC2 BEAVERA (N001MM) Distance: 28.5nm Add to Bid
Days Flown: Su M T W Th F S
Route: See RTMM FP for this Flight#.
Notes: See RTMM FP for this Flight#.
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Then click on "Add to bid". Now the bid has been created for that specfic flight and in Cigar Box that flight and its parameters will directly upload into Cigar Box. (Alternatively, or you could also enter flight number MFC0541A direct into Cigar Box and it will load when entered. *(This requires a change setting in Cigar Box - Tick box to Search by flight number if using direct flight number entry).)
And you load/fly/file that flight. Either way it works so you load up your Sim, Cigar Box - fly- and file. Done. Then the next flight or another flight route in the same manner and so forth.
Now as you work off the GO TO Table to plan your flights you have the extra step of finding out the MFC Flight number by searching the RTMM Flight plans. Now if we can updated or populate the GO TO Table with the MFC Flight numbers than would be more expedient for reference.
The RTMM flight plans themselves provide an natural ordered sequence with the alphabetical naming as well provide the MFC numbered order. (The RTMM Flight plans is a version of the GO TO Table and sequenced the same) (with exception of the Hawaii references which do not have accompanying flight plans (but there will be a Hawaii tour later).
One can fly the flight plans and/or MFC flight schedules in order or not, and the GO To table is a great reference for each route for the scenery area used and route specific with map links, and it matches the RTMM Flight plans which add the associated MFC flight so that together creates a very usable system for finding/flying/recording/documenting all the flights made. (But note: It is just a tad harder to keep track of flights that are not flown/filed in any type of sequence). But pilot choice.
Many ways to slice this stuff but it works together very well together to create a VA flying experience in this land of RTMM scenery area.
Hope this is clearer than mud..lol..