I understand sid/stars (at least i think I do) and I understand how to use the FMC. But I still don't understand how I program the route that I want when I don't know which runway I am going to land at yet. I don't find that out until I get near the destination. I try to guess based on the winds but that isn't always right. I have my weather set to real world with updates and no dynamic weather. What I usually do is program the FMC for my departure runway and sid based on my destination's bearing. Then I choose from the left side of the arrivals page the proper star to get to the destination airport. A lot of times I have a big space between the end of the sid and the beginning of the star. I try everything to get them to connect, but I must just be missing something. If I am leaving from an airport that doesn't have sids, then I fly direct to the star, and when the star runs out, the FMC ends the route. But I am not at the airport yet. Then I tell FMC what runway I am landing at, because I have found out by now, but when I tell the FMC in the arrivals page, I get route discontinuity errors. I can land and fly the plane using other methods just fine. I would really like to know how to use the route building method properly. I have even read a couple of step by step tutorials about it and they still haven't given me answers. I use FSNAV to build routes as well sometimes. What am I missing?

Hi there,>A lot of times I have a big space between the end of the sid and the beginning of the star. I would really like to know how to use the route building method properly.;).Cheers,Gosta.http://www.hifisim.com/images/as2betateam.jpg

FSBuild is the best, a LOT of folks on here use it. www.fsbuild.com

Gosta has already explained what the big gap between SID and STAR is for and Paul and Gosta have given you links to flight planning programs, here's another onehttp://rfinder.asalink.net/ click on the 'free area' on the right of the page and enter the required details.However if you use FSNav to plan routes (why only 'sometimes?) you can use that to enter your route into the FMC.Although the flight plan window in FSNav only shows waypoints by looking at the map view you can find the airways that connect your waypoints.In map view click on the 'H' and 'Id', that will draw in the high level airways and their ID's and use that to enter the route in the FMC.For example, lets say your waypoints are ABC, DEF, GHILooking at the map in FSNav you see airway J1 connects ABC & DEF and J2 connects DEF & GHIIn the FMC you would enter, in the 2nd route page under the 'TO' column, ABC; then second line down under 'VIA' enter J1 and DEF under 'TO': 3rd line down J2 under 'VIA' and GHI under 'TO'As long as the airway ID does not change don't worry about any turns in the airway and the only time you enter a waypoint is when the airway ID changes. Sometimes you can go for hundreds of miles on one airway without entering any waypoints.The first and last waypoints should match up with SIDs and STARs on the DEP/APP page.If you don't fly on line with VATSIM or IVAO the above should be accurate enough for you.HTHDave

Hi Paul.I think thats good advice. FSBuild works great and you can zoom in see what your doing. Ernie Allston is a good guy and helped me out.Another thing he can do is turn the switch on the MCP panel to PLAN mode. By cycling the legs pages it will show the different legs right on the nav gauge and you can zoom in to see the transition fix. and enter it on the scratch pad, then hit the LSK with the disco and it will appear as a waypoint. I then press the LSK with the disco and it appears in the scratch pad, then press the delete key at the bottom of the keypad, then press the LSK with the disco and it closes the gap, the megenta courseline then has no gaps.At first that screwed me up to no end, you can create a flight plan with the FMC but it's a lot of page flipping and zooming etc.Be advised to enter your destination so you can zoom out and find waypoints so at least your going in the right direction. After you get used to the FMC you can change runway selections on the fly, just dont wait til your on final!Regards

Thank you all very much for the help. I have used your advice and it works beautifully! With some practice, I have finally become comfortable with it. I have struggled with this for a looooong time and you all helped me finally get it. By the way, one little thing that I was confused about even after your advice was how do I get to my first waypoint after taking off. I didn't realize you could just go direct, then use airways afterwards. I kept trying to type in an airway to get to my first waypoint, and the FMC wouldn't allow it. Then I re-read the suggestions again and understand completely (I think). Thanks again! P.S. Cannot WAIT for the 800/900 series and the 744. I am excited over the possibility of a built-in weather radar especially.

Hello, Please make sure to sign your name to your posts (your real name), thanks! You are not allowed to modify or delete the first active waypoint on the FMC although you can perform a DIR TO. Depending, most pilots fly up to a *certain* point by hand but one can arm LNAV on the ground (will engage at 50 RA) and VNAV after flaps are retracted (generally 1000 AGL)....[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/betaimg.jpg