Figure 2-5.—Example of a surface pressure analysis from JMV.
OPTIMUM PATH AIRCRAFT
ROUTING SYSTEM (OPARS)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the
purpose of the Optimum Path Aircraft Routing
System (OPARS). Recognize the OPARS
subsystems. Describe the information required
to process OPARS flight plans. Identify the
publication that outlines OPARS processing
procedures.
The Optimum Path Aircraft Routing System
(OPARS) is a computer program that selects the best
(optimum) route and altitude for an aircraft to reach a
destination. The primary purpose of OPARS is to
provide a flight planning service to the Naval Aviation
community that minimizes time enroute and fuel
consumption. The system combines the latest
environmental data with the most fuel efficient flight
profile for a specific aircraft, and then produces a
customized flight plan for the pilot. An OPARS flight
plan acts as a preflight planning aid that serves as a
supplement to the DD Form 175-1 Military Flight
Weather Brief. OPARS users connect with the host
system at FNMOC via computer modem.
OPARS SUBSYSTEMS
OPARS is comprised of three sub-systems briefly
described as follows:
OPARS User Interface: Provides a
communications interface for the OPARS user to
generate and submit OPARS requests. This is primarily
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