Quick Start: Plan Your First Flight in 5 Minutes

This guide assumes you're a pilot who knows what a navlog is and has filed flight plans before. If you just want to see how IN-FLIGHT works, follow along with the example route below.

Example Flight: Islip to Hartford (IFR)

We'll plan KISP → KBDL via J-route with STELA ONE arrival.

Step 0: Install as Web App (Optional but Recommended)

For the best experience, install IN-FLIGHT as a Progressive Web App (PWA):

iOS (Safari):

1. Tap the Share button (square with arrow)
2. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
3. Detailed tutorial

Android (Chrome):

1. Tap the three-dot menu
2. Select "Install app" or "Add to Home Screen"
3. Detailed tutorial

Desktop (Chrome/Edge):

1. Look for the install icon (⊕ or computer icon) in the address bar
2. Click it and confirm installation
3. Detailed tutorial

Benefits: Faster launch, full-screen mode, works like a native app, better offline experience.

Step 1: Load the Database (One-Time Setup)

Before planning any route, you need the airport/navaid database:

1. Click DATA tab
2. Click LOAD DATA button
3. Wait ~10-30 seconds for download
4. Confirm you see database stats (70,000+ airports, 10,000+ navaids)

This is a one-time step. Data is cached in your browser—even works offline afterward.

Step 2: Enter the Route

Click ROUTE tab and enter:

Filed Route:

KISP APE EWC ETG J217 HNK STELA1 KBDL

What this means:

• Depart KISP (Islip/Long Island MacArthur)
• Via APE, EWC, ETG waypoints
• Fly J217 (jet route) to HNK (Montauk VOR)
• Arrive KBDL (Hartford) via STELA ONE arrival

Enter it like this:

• Departure: KISP
• Route: APE EWC ETG J217 HNK STELA1
• Destination: KBDL

Hit COMPUTE.

What happens:

• App expands all intermediate fixes on J217
• Auto-expands STELA1 STAR with appropriate transition
• Calculates distance/bearing for each leg
• Applies magnetic variation (WMM2025)

You should see a green success message and waypoint count.

Step 3: Add Aircraft Performance (Optional but Recommended)

Scroll down in the ROUTE tab and expand "Wind Correction & Time":

For a typical light single (C172, PA28, etc.):

• Cruise Altitude: 9500 (IFR eastbound)
• True Airspeed: 120 knots
• Forecast Period: Select based on your departure time

Click COMPUTE again.

What happens:

• App fetches winds aloft from NOAA for your altitude
• Calculates wind-corrected headings and ground speeds
• Estimates time en route for each leg

No internet? You can manually enter winds in the NAVLOG tab later.

Step 4: Add Fuel Planning (Optional)

If you want fuel calculations, expand "Fuel Planning" in ROUTE tab:

Example for C172:

• Fuel Capacity: 40 gallons
• Fuel Burn Rate: 8.5 GPH
• Reserve Fuel: 5 gallons (45 min VFR, adjust for IFR)
• Starting Fuel: 38 gallons (if not full)

Click COMPUTE again.

What happens:

• Calculates fuel burn for each leg
• Shows fuel remaining at each waypoint
• Warns if you don't have enough fuel + reserves

Step 5: Review the Navigation Log

Click NAVLOG tab.

You'll see a table like this:

Waypoint	Type	Freq	MC	Dist	GS	ETE	Fuel
KSFO	APT	—	—	—	—	—	38.0
GROVE	FIX	—	232°	12nm	118kt	0:06	37.2
BSR	VOR	114.8	141°	97nm	125kt	0:46	30.7
...	...	...	...	...	...	...	...

What to look for:

• MC (Magnetic Course): Heading to fly (wind-corrected if enabled)
• Dist: Distance from previous waypoint
• GS (Ground Speed): Accounts for wind
• ETE (Estimated Time En Route): For each leg
• Fuel: Remaining at each waypoint

Click airport codes to open AirNav for runway/frequency info.

Step 6: View the Route on the Map

Click MAP tab.

You'll see your route plotted on an interactive map with:

• Departure and arrival airports (blue/green markers)
• Route line connecting all waypoints
• Zoom controls (ROUTE, DEST, 50NM, 25NM)

To enable GPS tracking:

1. Click "Enable GPS" button
2. Grant location permission in browser
3. Your position appears as a cyan aircraft symbol
4. Distance/bearing to next waypoint updates live

Step 7: Fly the Route (GPS Tracking)

GPS is automatically enabled when you grant location permissions. The map shows:

Moving Map Features:

• Auto-waypoint advancement: App automatically switches to next waypoint when you pass within ~2nm
• TTS announcements: Optional voice callouts ("Approaching APE, next waypoint EWC, heading 075")
• Haptic feedback: Device vibrates on waypoint passage (mobile devices)

Navigation Panel (left side):

• Shows next waypoint
• Required magnetic heading
• Distance and time remaining
• Current ground speed
• GPS accuracy

Quick Diversion:

• Click any airport on the map
• App instantly computes direct route with fuel/time

Step 8: Export Your Flight (Optional)

After landing, go to DATA tab:

• Click "Flight Tracks" section
• Your flight is automatically saved
• Click "Export" to download GeoJSON
• Import into Google Earth, ForeFlight, or other tools for post-flight analysis

VFR Example: San Francisco to Half Moon Bay

For a simple VFR flight, the process is even easier:

ROUTE tab (traditional mode):

• Departure: KSFO
• Route: (leave blank for direct)
• Destination: KHAF
• Click COMPUTE

Or use waypoint-only mode (faster):

• Departure: (blank)
• Route: KSFO KHAF
• Destination: (blank)
• Click COMPUTE

Both methods produce the same result!

Add winds manually in NAVLOG tab (if no internet):

• Click "Add Wind" button
• Enter altitude, direction, speed (e.g., "3000ft, 280°, 15kt")

That's it. Print the navlog or keep it on your iPad.

Common Workflows

Practice Building IFR Routes

IN-FLIGHT's autocomplete helps you learn route construction:

1. Type departure airport: KBOS
2. Type SID name: Start typing SSOXS → autocomplete shows PAYGE
3. Type last SID fix: SSOXS
4. Type airway: Start typing V3 → autocomplete shows airways from SSOXS
5. Type next fix: Start typing on V3 → autocomplete shows only fixes on V3
6. Continue building route...
7. Type STAR: LENDY6
8. Type destination: KLGA

Result: KBOS PAYGE SSOXS V3 SAX J57 LRP LENDY6 KLGA

Analyzing Routes from Other Sources

Got a route from ForeFlight/FltPlan? Analyze it in IN-FLIGHT:

1. Copy route string from your EFB
2. Paste into IN-FLIGHT ROUTE tab
3. Hit COMPUTE
4. Compare navlog distance/times to understand the route structure

Useful for learning how routes are constructed.

Comparing Altitudes

Want to see how winds affect different altitudes?

1. Enter route with altitude 7500, click COMPUTE
2. Go to NAVLOG, note total time and fuel
3. Go back to ROUTE, change altitude to 9500, click COMPUTE
4. Compare NAVLOG results

Learn how altitude selection affects flight time and fuel burn.

Pre-Loading for Offline Use

Going somewhere with no cell service? Pre-load your route:

1. Plan route while connected to internet
2. Load winds aloft (automatic if connected)
3. Install app as PWA (browser prompts, or use browser menu)
4. Route data is now cached offline
5. Turn on airplane mode → app still works

Great for remote airports or in-flight use.

Tips for New Users

Route Entry:

• Quick entry: Just type waypoints in the Route field (first = departure, last = destination)
• You can use DCT for direct routing: KSFO DCT KOAK means direct from SFO to Oakland
• Separate waypoints with spaces, not commas
• Airport codes can be ICAO (KSFO) or IATA (SFO)—both work
• If route won't compute, check for typos in waypoint names

Winds Aloft:

• If automatic wind fetch fails, enter winds manually in NAVLOG tab
• You can enter multiple wind layers (3000ft, 6000ft, 9000ft) for better accuracy
• App interpolates between altitudes for climbing/descending legs

GPS Tracking:

• Works best on mobile devices (phone/tablet)
• Desktop GPS accuracy depends on WiFi positioning (less accurate)
• You must grant location permission in browser settings
• For best results, use tablet with cellular GPS (even without SIM)

Fuel Planning:

• "Reserve" means fuel you won't use (VFR: 30-45min, IFR: 45min-1hr+)
• App warns if fuel remaining drops below reserve
• Fuel calculations assume constant power/mixture—adjust in cruise

Database Updates:

• Data from OurAirports and FAA NASR (periodically updated)
• Not AIRAC-cycle certified
• Always verify critical data (frequencies, runway lengths) against current charts

What's Next?

Now that you've planned a basic flight, learn more about specific features:

• ROUTE Tab Guide - Master route syntax, autocomplete, procedures
• NAVLOG Tab Guide - Customize navlog, add winds, interpret data
• MAP Tab Guide - GPS features, zoom controls, diversions
• FAQ - Common questions answered

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Still confused? Check Troubleshooting or open an issue on GitHub.