AIR SUPPORT’s founder Per Jensen had a vision nearly 30 years ago when he created the initial core design of the PPS Flight Planning System (PPS); he was convinced that the pc-technology would develop in such a way that it would enable a decentralised database structure from the start. He was also convinced that over time, it would support the creation of new and powerful flight planning software features where Internet data transmission would play a key role.

These considerations meant that the product concept could be laid out as a decentralised system solution where all program algorithms, navigation databases, aircraft performance databases and user-related databases were installed on the local pc/network at the client’s location instead of being hosted centrally on large complex main-frame computers. Today’s automatic data transmission technology on the Internet means that all program and navigation data updates can easily be distributed to all PPS users.

Today, this decentralised product concept is the very corner stone of the PPS Flight Planning System, ensuring each PPS user the highest degree of flexibility while keeping development and maintenance costs as well as initial acquisition and update service costs at realistic price levels.

PPS Segments

The PPS Flight Planning System (PPS), incl. the integrated web-based briefing service CrewBriefing, is based on a modular and fully scalable software structure as well as a modular update data service structure, all in relation to each user’s operational requirements. This means that each individual user can get a fully customized setup of the required software modules without incurring expensive software customization/development charges. Additionally, each user can obtain a customized update service package, which covers only those services that are required. The above modular software and update service structure enables AIR SUPPORT to offer solutions to each main operator segment as well as customized set-ups for operators within the same main segment.

AIR SUPPORT operates with the following segments:

• Business & Corporate Aviation (Users within this segment typically operate aircraft types ranging from the Piper Cheyenne and King Air turboprop level up through the Citation and Learjet range to the Hawker 800 and Falcon 20 level)
• Advanced Business Aviation (Users within this segment typically operate aircraft as mentioned under the Business & Corporate Aviation segment description above and/or mid-sized to heavy business jets such as Challenger 601/604/605 range, to the entire Falcon 50, Falcon 900, Falcon 2000 and Falcon 7X range to the Gulfstream V and 550 as well as BBJ’s and VIP configured B757’s. This operator segment typically utilizes the advanced PPS features such as EROPS ETP and Oxygen calculations and ETOPS ETP calculations)
• Airline Operators (Users within this segment are divided into two levels AIRLINE BASIC and AIRLINES ADVANCED users as further described in the Product Solution description. Our airline users operate aircraft from the Jetstream 31 level up through the typical ATR42/72 and Fokker 50 level to the CRJ, B737-200/300/500/700/800/900, B757, A320, A321, A330 level)
• Military & Utility Operators (Users within this segment are typically the military transport squadrons flying aircraft from the King Air level up through Saab 340, Challengers, Gulfstreams to the Hercules C-130H and –J models. However, a few air forces also utilize PPS for their fighter types)
• Flight Service Providers (Flight Service Providers are organizations who distribute flight briefings to 3rd party operators on commercial basis. AIR SUPPORT offers a unique and well established FSP concept for the operator who services individual aircraft operators or AOC operators on out-sourced basis)

PPS Advantages

PPS contains all aeronautical data, information on the specific aircraft DOC costs along with fuel price management facilities as well as automatic calculation of en-route overflight charges. This enables you as operator to analyse and select the minimum production cost routing as well as the most economical flight level automatically while taking into consideration en-route winds and temperature forecast data. A direct return of the investment in PPS can, thus, be expected in a very short time.

The advantages of the PPS Flight Planning and CrewBriefing solution mean that the operator gets a pc-based flight planning software tool that will create everything the crew needs in seconds; it will generate the routing, calculate cruise performance and fuel requirements, weight and balance, file the flight plan electronically worldwide, manage CFMU slot messages and CTOTs while giving the user full planning flexibility in the process. Without human interaction required, trip tailored briefings are automatically created and made instantly available via the internet on www.CrewBriefing.com. (see CrewBriefing section for more information)

With the set-up facilities and flexibility built into PPS, it can easily accommodate aircraft performance data set-up and flight log lay-out designs used in more special operations such as ambulance flights, special cargo flights or in aircraft operations where cabin configurations are often changed all depending on the mission.

AIR SUPPORT also specializes in the provision of advanced interfaced solutions towards airline operators utilizing 3rd party scheduling / crew planning and maintenance systems for automated traffic, crew and MEL data import. Interfaced solutions offer the operator fully automated and dynamically optimized data output for the crews.

The system can run off a lap-top as well as be installed on a network or Terminal Server environment if required. The PPS Flight Planning main system as well as the route generator system can also work off-line.