accomplished  at  remote  PC  terminals  or  workstations (such as MIDDS) using conventional telephone lines. OPARS requests may also be submitted via the Internet and NIPRNET. OPARS  Data  Base:  Consists  of  aircraft performance   characteristics,   route   structure,   and restricted area information required for the satisfactory performance of the OPARS program. The OPARS data base comes preloaded with each OPARS release. Keep in mind that updates to this data base are issued by FNMOC every 28 days and can be downloaded from the FNMOC  website. Flight  Planner/Environmental  Data  Base:  The computer system at FNMOC produces a flight plan for the optimum route and performance parameters for each aircraft. Wind and temperature fields for flight level winds are produced twice daily and are derived from   the   FNMOC   Naval   Operational   Global Atmospheric  Prediction  System  (NOGAPS)  forecast model. Wind and temperature data is available from 1,000 feet to 55,000 feet. OPARS FLIGHT PLAN PROCESSING The OPARS user is the individual interacting through a personal computer linked with the computer system at FNMOC. The OPARS user builds a flight plan request at the terminal and submits the flight plan request to the FNMOC computer for processing. The latest version of the system, OPARS 2.12, can run from any  PC  workstation,  but  is  normally  installed  on MIDDS. This program operates using a Windows- based software program with a graphical interface. It allows users to build and error-check their flight plan request  on  their  PC  before  submitting  the  job  to FNMOC. OPARS 2.0 and later versions contain a built- in  communication  capability  that  can  automatically access  and  log  into  FNMOC  via  commercial  telephone, DSN, STU-III secure telephone, and INTERNET/ NIPRNET. Nearly  every  weather  office  accepts  OPARS requests either over-the-counter or by telephone. Many individual military pilots are frequent users of OPARS, and these pilots may prefer to enter their own OPARS requests. However, most pilots prefer to have the base weather  personnel  process  OPARS  requests.  The observer normally uses a locally prepared form to ensure that the necessary information is obtained, and then enters the information into the OPARS program. Each request must include information such as aircraft type, point of departure, time of departure, point of arrival,  number  of  different  flight  routes  (legs),  fuel weight,  and  air-routing  type.  After  processing  at FNMOC, the information is formatted into a flight plan and transmitted back to the office. The OPARS program works with the Windows NT operating system or Windows 95. Users select the flight plan parameters by clicking on a series of menus.   The program provides "help" menus that explain individual elements.  A  jet-route  data  base  is  included  with  the software and lets users visually work out air routes on their PC. Once selected, an air route can be saved for future use. These commonly used air routes are known as “canned” routes. Flight requests can also be saved and made available at a future time. Once users obtain a flight plan from FNMOC, they can display it in many different formats, as a variety of tools  are  available  to  customize  and  enhance  the display.  Wind  fields,  navigational  aids  (navaids),  and other features may be overlaid on any flight route. The flight plan is then downloaded to a printer and delivered to the pilot. Figure 2-6 is an example of just one of several OPARS input screens. The Optimum Path Aircraft Routing System User’s Manual,   FLENUMETOCCEN   P-3710,   provides detailed information for processing OPARS flight plans. This manual is published by FNMOC and is provided with MIDDS. It can also be downloaded from the FNMOC website. Information on how to interpret the different flight plan formats can also be found on the FNMOC  website. REVIEW  QUESTIONS Q23. What is the primary purpose of OPARS? Q24. Where is the OPARS data base located? Q25. What publication provides detailed information on processing OPARS requests and how can it be obtained? DATA REQUEST PRODUCT (DRP) LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify how Data Request   Products   (DRPs)   are   obtained. Describe  the  various  products  that  are  available from the Data Request Product (DRP) system. Identify the publications that provide guidance on DRP products. 2-18