I am really interested in getting into the "in's and out's" of flight simming on a more realistic scale. I have been flying all the versions of Microsft Flight Sim since FS98 but have just recently gotten into the quality add-ons that are out and the amazing amount of realism they offer. I started out with the PSS planes that are available and just recently started flying the 767 which has become my plane of choice. Where might I find more information on deciphering all the nav and weather data? I am just beginning to understand how SIDS and STARS work but I don't think I have the big picture quite yet. I would eventually like to get into some online flying but I was rather disapointed witht he MSN gaming zone interface. (none of my friends have the patience for flight simming) I guess it all comes down to me just wanting to get as much good info as I can from other folks who have been doing this for awhile. Any weblinks, software recomendations, and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi there.First of all you came to the right place. The people who "hang" on this forum are FULL of information, and many are ready to spend some serious time helping each other. One thing that people ask you to do is spend some time searching for the answer yourself before just asking every question under the sun. We were all new once - and in fact we all understand that the learning never ends - you just have to be prepared to put in some sweat equity yourself. I'd suggest that an excellent investment is to learn how to use the SEARCH function here on the forum. The amount of information one can find simply be searching is staggering.Now to your questions:Where might I find more information on deciphering weather and navdata.To learn about weather and deciperhing metars - I'd suggest http://www.met.tamu.edu/class/METAR/quick-metar.htmlFor software to use with flightsim and weather programs - I'd suggest either FSMETEO at http://www.fsmeteo.com or ACTIVeSKY at http://www.hifisim.com/For NAVDATA you want to go to Richard Stefan's amazing site at http://www.navdata.at - register and then download whatever you need.For online flying - I'd suggest VATSIM http://www.vatsim.net - there is some investment in getting setup and figuring out how it all works, but in my opinion nothing comes close to it.There is much to learn, and lots of time to do it in. Good luck.

Hi! who?You are definetly on the right way. Flying online adds realy a new dimension to PC flying. There are two big networks Vatsim as mentioned above and www.Ivao.org For getting online and what you need to know you find Information on their I-net sitesand check your PMand be lucky because you choosed the best plane (so far) ;-)

Nice work Ian. You politicos/VATSIM muckimucks always know how to answer with diplomacy and tact.I, on the other hand, would have told him to SEARCH THE FORUM. DS CVA3339 / UKD149System: Attinglon 900.256 McW Hamster/Gerbilized/Mouse/Squirrel Quantum Accessible 55Gig Iodized-Encrusted Four-poster with Mega-brill 2.7inch Farzenhuuven http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

And for setting up the on line flying:http://home.planet.nl/~nwkaan/Kind regards,Stephan Haas

Hmm... I have searched the forum quite extensively actually, but think about how many threads pop up to "nav-data" or "weather" for example. I should've have re-worded my earlier post then, I wasn't actually looking for a specific answer to my questions but more or less finding others to communicate with that have more expierence at this than I do so that I can get the most out of my flight sim expierences. My original post transpired from the thread about the Friday night flight...they were posting all the data in there and I thought to myself, "man I wish I knew what that all meant." Granted I could pick out some of the stuff but not everything. Diplomacy and tact always works, thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.Steve @ KPHF

Steve,(nice to put a name to that callsign).What parts did you need some help understanding? It's pretty ridiculous how much there is to learn. Some stuff is relevant, other parts are definetly not. After some time in the community we forget that there are many people out there who don't understand all of the acronyms, icao codes, or how to read one of those damned flight plans.Whatever you do, don't be intimidated by things you "think" might be stupid questions - no such thing.Let us know what it was you needed help with, the good thing is that everytime a few people fall out of "Mr. Helpful" mode, a few others go into the same mode.Ask Ask Ask Ask, but of course make sure you first Search Search Search.

edit: pls disregard, was testing and hit the send buttonStephan Haas

Hello Steve!Regarding information about Navigation, there are many sources from both the real and the sim world. Here are some interesting urls:http://www.aopaflighttraining.org/http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FSO2NewsInfoFromAOPA.asphttp://www.jeppesen.com/wlcs/index.jsp?sec...ations_aopa.jspAll of them provide fine and extensive informationAlejandro Caballero

For the PIC767 go to the PIC Flying clubLink below