DairyCreamer Senior Member Elsewhere

Baby, center controllers ARE the FDIO :-D

We have direct access to all the functions that your single in-facility FDIO does. Basically when you are using the FDIO, we have the same key entries, and often with shortcuts to boot.

One key amends requested altitude (it basically types QZ for us), our RTE key (types QU for us) allows us to put in point-to-point routes. We can do Field 10 amendments to directly alter a flight plan. We can enter full flight plans... in short, anything you can do with your FDIO, we can do at our scope. At least, I can't think of anything we can't do.

I really don't understand why you can't make FDIO entries right from a TRACON scope, personally... programming these days, sheesh.

~Nate

Edit - Yes, we can also use our trackball to draw routes... we call it Route Picking (we have 3 trackball buttons, Pick, Enter, and Home). As long as we tie in the flight plan to an actual fix on the aircraft's route (up to and including the destination airport) then the computer is fine with it... it basically translates the picks to Fix/Radial/Distance points for the computer. The altitude is stupid simple to change, and we do it all the time. If you want any nitty-gritty details, let me know.