Im kinda new to this online flying, but into it enough so that if there's no one manning a station, I often dont fly. However, I have a question.When you first connect, is it proper to ask which departure route is in use or to request a specific departure?OFtentimes, after I have created a flight plan, using either FS, FSCommander or my Project Magenta CDU, and uploaded it to Vatsim, the controller will want to amend it.Id like to be as prepared as possible, to know what is expected of me before I connect.Thanks in advance.John WhiteNewburgh, IN

Hi John,Some of these things depend a bit which country you are in. In Europe the major airports have Standard Instrument Departures. you specify the final waypoint of the SID, and the controller will allocate the actual SID according to the runway in use. If you know which runway is in use you can set it up ahead of your clearance, but be prepared in case the wind swings and the runway changes.An example would be a departure from EGSS to the north. The final waypoint is BUZAD, and you will be allocated a BUZAD6R if runway 23 is active, and a BUZAD2S if it's runway 05. Heathrow is a bit more complicated- northerly deps are via WOBUN if they are on 27s and via BUZAD if they're on the 9s.smaller airports or those outside controlled airspace don't always have standard routes - the controller will give you the departure route with your clearance, usually after he has confirmed it with the en-route cotnroller.The controller will see what you have filed in your flightplan and either confirm or amend it. If you find you are getting a lot of amendments it would be worth talking to the controller to find out why he has given you the departure he has, so next time you know how to work it out in advance. Many VATSIM websites have lists of suitable flightplans - the best place to look for European ones as EURoute at http://www.pl-vacc.org/pol3/fp_main.php?site=pl&language=enRuthVATUK2