SimBrief, the free flight planning service, has recently undergone significant updates, further enhancing the flight planning experience for flight simulation enthusiasts. Here’s a detailed summary of the key changes and the differences between the free and subscription versions:

1. Takeoff and Landing Calculations:

SimBrief can now calculate takeoff and landing performance! Features include automatic weather retrieval, reduced thrust takeoffs, and optimized flap settings. This can be found in the “Performance and Tools” section. This feature is available in both the free and subscription versions.

2. New Dispatch Interface:

The SimBrief Dispatch interface has been completely redesigned with a more modern look and feel. The new layout offers numerous new features, adapts to any screen size, and even has a dark mode. This improvement is also accessible to all users, regardless of whether they have a subscription or not.

3. Navigraph Charts Integration:

One of the most exciting innovations is the integration of Navigraph Charts. However, this feature is primarily reserved for Navigraph subscribers. Users with a Navigraph subscription can display their route on various chart views and zoom in for detailed views of arrival and departure airports. Free users cannot directly use this feature within SimBrief.

New Features For Subscribers (In addition to avoidance routing):

• Brand new route calculation engine: The redesigned route calculator tool finds routes in seconds, not minutes! It’s also much more reliable when avoiding multiple areas or fixes, gives more efficient routes over oceans, and is better optimized for Free Route Airspace.
• Avoid predefined areas: Russian airspace, ETOPS areas, and more can be avoided using the dropdown menu. Any other waypoints, airways, or airspaces can be avoided by manually typing them in.
• Easily add oceanic tracks: Just click “include a waypoint, airway, or oceanic track” and select a track from the list, or manually type in your own waypoints or airways to include.
• Instant map previews: Before generating your route, check the interactive map to see exactly which waypoints, airways, or areas you’re avoiding or including.
• Choose specific SIDs or STARs: Pick exactly which ones you want from the dropdown list, or leave them in “Auto” to let the route calculator find the best one. SIDs and STARs are labelled and sorted based on whether they are valid for the selected runway and aircraft type.
• SID/STAR visualization: Not sure which SID or STAR to choose? Preview all of them on the interactive map, just like in Navigraph Charts!

New Features For Everyone:

• Flight History Overhaul: When viewing history flights, flight plan revisions are now grouped together to reduce clutter. Click on a group to see all previous versions of that flight plan.
• Expanded aircraft options: More aircraft options can be customized directly on the Flight Options page, including equipment codes, PBN capabilities, and more.
• Easier equipment editing: Pop-up widgets make it a breeze to edit aircraft equipment codes and ATC flight plan remarks-no more manual typing.

In summary, the main differences:

• Route Calculation Engine: Significantly faster and more reliable route calculation for subscribers.
• Area Avoidance: Only for subscribers.
• Oceanic Tracks: Simplified integration for subscribers.
• Map Preview: Instant preview of the route on the map only for subscribers.
• SID/STAR Selection and Visualization: Detailed selection and visualization only for subscribers.
• Navigraph Charts Integration: Only for Navigraph subscribers.
• Navigation Data: Subscribers receive the latest Jeppesen Navdata. Free users receive navigation data that may not be as up-to-date.
• Weather and NOTAM Data: The level of detail and currency may differ.

These innovations make SimBrief an even more powerful tool for flight simulation enthusiasts. While the free version already offers extensive features, Navigraph subscribers benefit from significantly improved route planning, more detailed options, and deeper integration with Navigraph Charts.