Now that I have all theses SID/STARS installed, how do I know which one to use & when? Do they get assigned to me from ATC in real life? Do I ask for them myself? I don't get it. How would I know to put a particular SID or STAR into my route when I am initializing the FMC - especially if ATC didn't order me to do so?Thanks Chris Catalano

Hi Chris.Since you ask about how it

As you seem to well know the procedure, can you also tell a word about transitions? What are they exactly and how are they used?Thanks.Eric L.

I don't have so much of a problem with the SID it's more the STAR which causes issues simply because you don't know which runway is in use at your arrival airfield until you're within range of the ATIS in FS2004 which is an unrealistic 30 miles or so?! The only other alternative I guess is to start your flight at the destination airfield - note the weather - then switch back to your departure field. Rather tedious!Can you leave the STAR out of the FMC route planning until you get nearer to your destination and then type it in once you know for sure which runway is in use?RegardsAdam Moore

Adam,>Can you leave the STAR out of the FMC route planning until you get >nearer to your destination and then type it in once you know for >sure which runway is in use?That's the way it's dealt with in real life, and that's also possible in the PMDG NG. It will use your ARR airport for calulations and it will recalculate when altering the route with a STAR for exxample.Hope it helps,

My 2 cents worth from an Australian POV..and RL ATCSID and STAR info really doesnt need to go in the plan. Some countries want it, some dont so I dont put it in .The SID , as has been discussed should be obvious from the wind at the field even if no ATC is present...get the breeze, decide on the runway, input the SID. The same thing for arrival if no ATC available.You dont need to wait to 30 nm to get the ATIS....bring up the destination weather thru SB or Active Sky or whatever wx programme you use, and note the weather...pick the into wind runway and decide on the appropriate STAR. Unless there are quick weather changes this should do the trickHope this helpsRob

Oh an done thing I forgotIRL you will get a STAR assigned to you form 200 to 160 miles out from destination.Rob

Hi Eric.Hmm, hope I can explain this easily. I think that transitions are simply a number of points along a SID/STAR where different airways "latch on" to the SID/STAR. Let say that we have a SID that begins at a given runway at KLAX and then stretches south along the coastline for a rather long way. Along that route you

Just to add something to the good explanation.You can actually have transitions between the end of a STAR and an runway approach. For example if you have a common STAR for multiple runways you can have transitions from that STAR to each runway approach. Works the opposite way for SIDs servicing multiple departure runways as well.These types of transitions should also be selectable in the PMDG FMC.Regards,

So I guess this means that the ATC system in FS 2004 will never assign me a SID or a STAR? I just have to select it on my own? Is this true?Also, if it is true, then if I try to fly a STAR, I will be contradicting the directions that the FS 2004 ATC controller is giving to me, right? If I just decide to fly the STAR I wish, won't ATC get annoyed that I am not following their orders?Thanks for all the great info my friends!Chris Catalano