I use FSX and RC for atc, RC doesn't really follow any of the sid and star procedure from the charts. So my question is how do you manage to go around the problem of taking so much time to plan and inputing in data in the FMC, and to see it all go out the window when RC tells me to follow a completely different procedure from the charts. I would like to keep my flying as close to real procedures as I possibly can. I know this question was probably asked a million times but I would like to know what your take is on all of this and what you use for atc, or maybe have some raccomendations for me.Thank you in advance to all,Ang.

If I want to fly a SID, what I do is go with the FS ATC and when the wheels come off the runway and I get told to change frequency, I hold off on contacting the new frequency and fly the SID, then, when I am on course, I contact the new frequency. Since I am on course when the contact is made, I just get a 'continue on own navigation' call from ATC, which solves that problem.With STARS it's not quite so simple, however you can do a similar sort of thing by flying with ATC until you get an approach vector, whereupon you can simply go off frequency, fly your STAR and contact approach when you are on the way in and they'll give you approval to touch down. This is not ideal of course, but since FS ATC is not totally realistic, it is at least a way around its shortcomings. I tend to think that since the default FSX ATC vectors for approach are a bit crappy, I'm going to end up with more realism this way, and to be honest, I've had FS ATC vector me into terrain on occasion, requiring me to pull up as a mountain appeared through the clouds, so doing it my way avoids that!The fact that I use voice control for ATC does offset the fact that it is less realistic, which sort of brings things back into balance as far as enjoyment goes. That's probably not a solution everyone would be happy with, but it works for me.Al

I use FSX and RC for atc, RC doesn't really follow any of the sid and star procedure from the charts. So my question is how do you manage to go around the problem of taking so much time to plan and inputing in data in the FMC, and to see it all go out the window when RC tells me to follow a completely different procedure from the charts. I would like to keep my flying as close to real procedures as I possibly can. I know this question was probably asked a million times but I would like to know what your take is on all of this and what you use for atc, or maybe have some raccomendations for me.Thank you in advance to all,Ang.

If you are talking about Radar Contact v.4, I have a couple of suggestions. The first is to go through the tutorials. They're fun and you will learn this sort of thing. The second is to make sure you do not have "no departure procedures" checked at the beginning. On the other end, you have to ask RC to do the full instrument approach (and RC is very accomodating to pilot requests on the theory that we bought and paid for it).What RC will then do is to leave you alone to do your SIDs and STARs instead of giving you vectors. You'll have to read in the documentation for details but that's the gist.I had to learn this, too, and am still working on RC. It makes an incredible difference in flying. Another work-around I have used is to use the FSX route planner to actually build in fixes for the SID or STAR. While this isn't the most flexible, it at least lets you use default ATC without them bugging you to death.For the most part, with any canned ATC the concession is the more you have things set up in advance, the smoother the ATC is because you don't get disagreements. Of course, part of ATC is handling instructions, so you pick which you want to optimize: being left alone to do what you want at the start and finish or rolling with the controllers. At least RC gives you a lot of flexibility.

Thank you for the quick reply i really appreciate it I'll give it a try and will let you know how that works. Thanks again to all.

Thank you for the quick reply i really appreciate it I'll give it a try and will let you know how that works. Thanks again to all.

I know this is slightly off topic, but Vatsim may offer you the option you are looking for.JB

You do know that you can load many STAR procedures directly from the default GPS, which appends it to your existing flight plan, right?