In FMC: what determines approach procedure and runway on arrival?

[Guest jasp25@gmail.com]

Hello!I hope this wasn't asked before.. Using FMC in flight planning, how do you know/what determines which approach and runway procedure to take on the destination airport?? Your replies are appreciated. Thanks in advance!-jasp

[FLEX1978 373]

Hi,ATC will assign you a STAR or if your used to the airfield you can pretty much guess whats in use for your route. You can also get a rough idea of the runway in use from the METAR at your destination but if your flying longhaul this could change of course. Even if you dont fly online you should visit the vatsim website and have a read through the training docs.Rob

[basa 0]

As you know, takeoff and landing operations should take place with aheadwind component, except in case of light wind and if traffic flow permits.If you fly wit FS default weather, the wind at departure and arrival will probably be the same.You can also tune (if available at your destination) the ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information System) and get information about runways in use. You can tune it in FS at about 60 nm to dest.If you fly with the stupid FS ATC, just wait and he-she will direct you to the runway in use.

[onurksn 1]

The question is pretty much answered, I'll just say that it all depends on which runway is in use. Wind direction is the key of course but in Zurich for instance you're going to get 14 or 16 regardless of the wind direction. FS does make you land with tailwinds.However, this doesn't happen often. The best thing to do is to track the ATIS (FS ATC will inform you as soon as ATIS is available by giving you vectors) which as stated above comes into range at around 60NM. Expect to get it at 40NM from time to time though. When you know which RWY is active, do your preparations accordingly.Happy landings

[basa 0]

> Wind direction is the>key of course but in Zurich for instance you're going to get>14 or 16 regardless of the wind direction. FS does make you>land with tailwinds.>That can be modified with AFCADOpen AFCAD.Select the airport and the active afcad file.Right-click on the runway you want to modify.Select "properties".That opens a new window and you will be able to chek-uncheck some options:Closed / Open for landingsClosed / Open for takeoffsSave the changes and exit afcad.>However, this doesn't happen often. The best thing to do is to>track the ATIS (FS ATC will inform you as soon as ATIS is>available by giving you vectors) which as stated above comes>into range at around 60NM. Expect to get it at 40NM from time>to time though. When you know which RWY is active, do your>preparations accordingly.>Anyway, the stupid FS atc will only give you vectors to intercept the localizer (always at about 2800 ft agl). That is the standard and boring FS approach procedure.

[onurksn 1]

>Closed / Open for landings>Closed / Open for takeoffs>>Save the changes and exit afcad.Yep, you're right, AFCAD is a must for FS. >Anyway, the stupid FS atc will only give you vectors to>intercept the localizer (always at about 2800 ft agl). >>That is the standard and boring FS approach procedure.Yeah, the FS approach control is dodgy, that's why I use charts and tune into ATC only for landing clearance. As bad as it is though, FS ATC is accurate from time to time with transitions on approaches.