Apologize in advance for such a basic question, but here goes....I've been flying the Archer II recently, and when creating flight plans in my local area, I've been routing my flight plan using VORs, ADFs, avoiding restricted airspace, etc. Half-hour to one hour max flight in local area.When I fly the planned flight (and see it programed into the gps), however, ATC never uses it. I would expect ATC to use the first part of my IFR plan, and then deviate as I near the destination airport to give vectors for the appropriate runway, but usually ATC takes me off on a completely different route.Perhaps my recent flights have been too short.....or perhaps FS2002 ATC simply ignores the IFR flight plan (and restricted airspace).....or perhaps I'm doing something wrong or just don't understand how it all works.If someone could fill me in on the basics here I'd appreciate it.Thanks, Steve J.KHEF

bump.....I thought I would try one more time for a response on this question....Perhaps I can ask this another way.....Is it a given that the FS2002 ATC will not use the programmed IFR flight plan, and to fly it you have to deviate from the ATC instructions, have ATC cancel your flight plan, and then resume own navigation and fly it as programmed?Or is there some way that I'm not finding to get ATC to use your programmed IFR flight plan.....at least the first part of it, until close to the destination airport (when ATC will need to vector you to the appropriate runway)?Thanks, Steve J.

Hi Steve, I don't recall having that problem myself... I tend to find it the way you said, having ATC follow my plan for the first part and then it deviates as I near the airport.Maybe if you're flying into very big airports, it will set you up for a very long final. I'm not sure if the ATC differentiates between small planes and airliners. If so, have you tried setting up a plan to a smaller airport or maybe a longer plan and see how far from destination it begins to deviate? It may be that your departure airport is within the 'approach deviation' (made-up term? ;)) radius of the destination. Hope that makes sense!!!! :(Simon.

.... >>I've been flying the Archer II recently, and when creating >flight plans in my local area, I've been routing my flight >plan using VORs, ADFs, avoiding restricted airspace, etc. >Half-hour to one hour max flight in local area. >Your flights are too short. ATC will put you on vectors when within @70 miles of your destination. Try longer flights.

Thanks, Simon and Kevin....I'll experiment with the 70 mile radius........that sounds correct.On the other hand, I've been sim flying locally recently, but as I remember when I used 767PIC between major airports (such as KIAD and KBOS) that ATC would often vector me parallel to my flight plan shown on the gps, but not always exactly on the "green line."Thanks for your input.....I'll experiment some more......it's just one of those things with simming that seems almost too basic to ask.