Flight Following

Flight Following allows you to capture actual operational data as flights progress from scheduled through departure, en route, and arrival phases.

When to use this

Update flight data when:

• Recording estimated or actual departure times
• Capturing blocks-off and blocks-on times
• Recording actual passenger counts
• Entering fuel data (start fuel, uplift)
• Updating estimated or actual arrival times
• Recording special cargo or operational notes

Steps

1. Locate the flight: Find the flight in the table using search or filters
2. Click into the editable field: Click on any time field or data field to begin editing
3. Enter the data: Type the time or value directly. Time fields accept HH:mm format
4. Move to next field: Press Tab or click outside the field to save
5. Monitor save status: An "Unsaved changes…" indicator appears when edits are pending. A "Saving…" spinner shows when data is being saved

Result

The system automatically saves your changes after a brief delay. Flight data updates in real-time and becomes available for:

• Movement message generation
• Flight tracking comparison
• Post-flight reporting
• Operational analytics

Notes & rules

Movement messages (MVTs) are standardised operational messages sent to ground handlers, airports, and other service providers to communicate flight status and timing changes.

When to use this

Send MVT messages when:

• Confirming estimated departure time (ETD)
• Notifying of blocks-off and airborne times
• Updating estimated arrival time (ETA)
• Reporting landing and blocks-on times
• Communicating delays or diversions

Steps

1. Ensure flight data is complete: Fill in all relevant time and operational data for the flight phase you're reporting
2. Click the MVT button: Click the green paper plane button () in the MVT column for the flight
3. Select message type: Choose the appropriate movement message type (e.g., DEP for departure, ARR for arrival)
4. Review message content: The system generates the message using your operational data. Review for accuracy
5. Send the message: Click send to transmit the MVT to configured recipients

Result

The movement message is sent to all configured recipients (handlers, airports, internal systems). The message is logged and can be viewed later in the flight's MVT history.

Notes & rules

• Message templates: MVT message format is defined by your organisation's movement message types configuration
• Required fields: Certain fields must be populated before sending specific MVT types. The system will indicate missing required data
• View previous MVTs: Click "Prev. MVTs" to see all movement messages previously sent for a flight

Track and document flight delays with delay codes and duration to maintain accurate operational records and support delay analysis.

Steps

1. Click the delay badge: In the "Delays" column, click the time badge showing current delay total (or "00:00" if no delays recorded)
2. Add delay entry: Click to add a new delay row
3. Select delay code: Choose the appropriate delay code from the dropdown (e.g., weather, ATC, technical, fuelling)
4. Enter delay duration: Input hours and minutes for this delay
5. Add notes (optional): Enter any additional context or details about the delay
6. Save delays: Click save to record the delay information

Result

The delay is recorded against the flight. The delay badge updates to show total delay time with colour coding:

• Green: No delays (00:00)
• Yellow: 0-15 minutes delay
• Orange: 15-30 minutes delay
• Red: Over 30 minutes delay

Notes

Multiple delays can be recorded for a single flight. The badge shows total delay time across all delay entries. Click the badge again to view, edit, or remove individual delay records.

Record when a flight diverts to an alternate airport from its scheduled destination.

Steps

1. Click the Divert button: Click the red diversion button () in the "Divert" column
2. Add diversion airport: Select the diversion airport from the dropdown
3. Enter diversion details: Record the reason for diversion and any operational notes
4. Save diversion: Click save to record the diversion

Result

The diversion is recorded against the flight. The flight's arrival airport updates to reflect the diversion. Movement messages will automatically use the diversion airport for arrival information.

Notes

Monitor real-time flight tracking data when integrated with flight tracking services (e.g., Spidertracks).

Steps

1. Check tracking availability: The "Tracking" column appears when flight tracking is enabled for your organisation
2. Click the tracking button: Click the tracking button for a flight to view detailed tracking information
3. Review flight points: View the flight's GPS position history, altitude, speed, and route
4. Compare with actual times: Cross-reference tracking data with manually entered flight times

Result

The tracking window displays comprehensive position data for the flight, helping you verify flight progress and identify any irregularities like diversions or off-route navigation.

Notes

• Feature availability: Flight tracking requires integration with a tracking service provider and must be enabled in Flight Operations settings
• Tracking status: Click the "Flight Tracking Status" button (top-right) to check the current status of tracking feed integration

Access the full flight editor to modify comprehensive flight details including routing, crew, aircraft, and scheduling.

Steps

1. Click the edit button: Click the blue pencil button () in the "Edit legs" area for the flight
2. Make changes: The flight editor window opens, allowing you to modify flight sectors, routing, crew assignments, aircraft, and other details
3. Save changes: Click save in the flight editor to apply changes

Result

Changes to flight details update immediately in the Flight Following table and across all related Musket pages.

Notes

This opens the same flight editor used in the Flight Schedule page. Use this for structural changes to flights. For routine operational data capture, use the inline editing fields directly in the Flight Following table.

Generate comprehensive flight following reports showing all flights with their operational data.

Steps

1. Apply filters: Use search and filter controls to select the flights you want to include in the report
2. Click export button: Click the export button in the top-right corner of the table
3. Select format: Choose Excel, PDF, or Print format
4. Generate report: The system generates a flight following sheet with all selected flights

Result

A flight following sheet document is generated containing:

• Flight numbers and routes
• All scheduled and actual times
• Delay information and codes
• Passenger counts
• Fuel data
• Crew and aircraft details

The Flight Following table displays comprehensive operational data for each flight. Understanding each column helps you efficiently capture and monitor flight operations.

The Flight Status column uses colour-coded badges to show the operational status of each flight.

Common status badges

Status badges update based on flight data and tracking. Authorised users can manually update flight status via the status dropdown.

The Flight Following page includes automatic features that enhance operational awareness and data accuracy.

Flight tracking integration

When enabled, the system integrates with flight tracking services to:

• Monitor aircraft position in real-time
• Detect possible diversions automatically
• Compare tracked times with manually entered data
• Alert operations staff to irregularities

Auto-save functionality

Editable fields automatically save changes after you:

• Tab to the next field
• Click outside the current field
• Press Enter in most fields

The save status indicator shows:

• Unsaved changes… when edits are pending
• Saving… when data is being saved to the database

Diversion alerts

When flight tracking detects that an aircraft's position indicates a different destination than scheduled, a flashing warning icon () appears next to the flight status. This alerts you to investigate and record the diversion if confirmed.

When more than 15 flights match your filters, the page displays pagination controls below the table.

How paging works

• Default page size: 15 flights per page
• Page size selector: Appears when 16 or more flights match filters, allowing you to show more flights per page
• Page navigation: Use numbered page buttons to jump between pages
• Previous/Next: Navigate incrementally through pages
• Total count: The paging section shows total flights matching current filters

Your selected page number resets to page 1 when you change filters or perform a new search, ensuring you always see results starting from the first match.