Hello,first of all thanks for your support.I would like to know what procedure you use to generate the flightplan and program the FMC.In short terms You can't plan a flight using sid/star until cleared for ifr flight as you still don't know which runway you're going to use till the last moment.the same will happen during approach: you'll only be able to pick a star only when cleared for a certain runway.As I haven't fully programmed the fmc yet, this is the procedure I would use. Please tell me if I'm doing any mistakes:I would plan a flightplan without including sid/stars into the fmc.wake the aircraft UP and as soon as the ATC tells me the runway in use, modify the FMC adding the SID infos.About approach I'm a bit confused: the fs9 ATC (not tower) would allow me to choose a transition.But why the hell can I choose the transition if I still haven't been told which runway is in use due to the wind?thanksLuca

Hi LucaEssentially you are correct. Plan the flight from point to point without any departures or approaches. Then get ATIS on the ramp to establish the runway in use. You can then insert an appropriate SID. If you have a weather program, such as FSMeteo, you can get destination forecast and work out which runway to use for your arrival. If not, you can take a guess and then change it enroute - or simply don't specify an arrival.Make sure at this point that you don't have any route discontinuities and fix those. Do all of this BEFORE inputting information on the PERF INIT page. Also keep a look out in the LEGS page as you progress along the route - if you haven't set up an approach, you'll get the FMC calculating descents in odd places and into terrain.The whole arrival thing is a compromise. I usually cancel IFR at TOD and request flight following. Then I fly the approach I want to. Otherwise ATC will vector you away from your intended arrival.Good luck

thanks.I understand the easiest and safest way is to say goodbye to atc prior approach :)about notams I'm confused now (sorry..):16005kt is wind direction 160 at 5 knots. Does it mean wind coming FROM 160 and going TO 340? if true it means a tailwind when heading 340, pushing the aircraft forward, isn't it?or do I get it wrong?thanks for the clarification :)Luca

Re your wind question:16005 means winds coming from 160, at 5 kts. If you are heading 340, it means the wind is pushing you from behind. Wind direction is alway where the wind is coming from.Re your ATC question:I gave up on the ATC approach a long time ago, and even if you do have the right approach, there is no separation nor "smarts" about other traffic out there. You will end up landing with a plane in front or behind you, or with planes on the runway. Note that Radar Contact won't help much either because it has no control over AI traffic. I can recommend two things:1) turn down AI traffic to 25% or so, so increase the chances of the ATC handling AI a little better2) Fly online on VATSIM and meet friendly "in the flesh" controllers along with other pilots, and a lot more realistic experience.Cheers,

Hi Luca,16005KT is direction FROM where the wind is blowing and intensity in knots...And for precision sake: you are referring to NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) but you're m,eaning the METAR (or TAF)...The NOTAMs refer to amendments/corrections to airport services/runways/taxiways, navaids and airspace, such as runway closures or ILS downgrading or airspace closures.

thanks for the clarification :-)RLuca