Hi guys,I've been trying to search for this topic but can't find exactly what I looking for.I've been trying to fly my PMDG plane (B737NG in FS9 and B747X in FSX) in fog. Usually in clear weather, I use the FMC provided to key in my route and obtain Straight out departure with ATC, thus I'll be flying VFR.But in fog, I have to fly IFR but I do not really know how to obtain the clearance from ATC. What I did was to create a new flight plan between the 2 airports using FS default flight plans just to obtain clearance, but I still continue with my own flight plan keyed into FMC to fly en-route (which is different to that of the FS flight plan)Is there any other way to get around to fly IFR?Thanks!

Hi guys,I've been trying to search for this topic but can't find exactly what I looking for.I've been trying to fly my PMDG plane (B737NG in FS9 and B747X in FSX) in fog. Usually in clear weather, I use the FMC provided to key in my route and obtain Straight out departure with ATC, thus I'll be flying VFR.But in fog, I have to fly IFR but I do not really know how to obtain the clearance from ATC. What I did was to create a new flight plan between the 2 airports using FS default flight plans just to obtain clearance, but I still continue with my own flight plan keyed into FMC to fly en-route (which is different to that of the FS flight plan)Is there any other way to get around to fly IFR?Thanks!

If the question your asking is how to use the FS default ATC then you need to load the flight plan in both FS and FMS. You can use one of the flight planning tools to create a flight plan for both, or take a look at simroute.com IMHO FS ATC is pretty bad, did you ever consider VATSIM? Much more realistic.

I use vroute for my flight plans. Works out very well.http://www.vroute.net/It allows you to search for flight plans between destinations and use that for your routes. Vroute has the nice feature of being able to export flight plans that you can load into Flight Sim, which would take care of getting the FS flight plan and ATC lined up. I get the aircraft set up and parked where I want, load the flight plan into the sim, then program my FMS accordingly.

I use vroute for my flight plans. Works out very well.http://www.vroute.net/It allows you to search for flight plans between destinations and use that for your routes. Vroute has the nice feature of being able to export flight plans that you can load into Flight Sim, which would take care of getting the FS flight plan and ATC lined up. I get the aircraft set up and parked where I want, load the flight plan into the sim, then program my FMS accordingly.

ok thanks!I just tried the freeware version..but there is still some problems with the flight plan..although IFR..the FS ATC will still have it's own 'views' asking me to turn a certain heading etc..it's common right? just ignore these commands?

Kim, the default ATC in the flight simulator is a very poor attempt and providing a realistic air traffic control. It is unaware of standard instrument arrivals/departures, lacks awareness of current navdata, employs simplistic VFR patterns at high traffic locations, etc.There are live on-line ATC such as VATSIM and many happy users of RadarContact. Then there are a few like me that just forego the entire ATC subject and fly without any such thing... but I have been flying real IFR for too long to be content with the current state of the art of ATC simulation. However, if you are interested you may like Radar Contact... visit their forum next door here in the commercial section of AVSIM.

If the question your asking is how to use the FS default ATC then you need to load the flight plan in both FS and FMS. You can use one of the flight planning tools to create a flight plan for both, or take a look at simroute.com IMHO FS ATC is pretty bad, did you ever consider VATSIM? Much more realistic.

Hi! thanks for your inputs. VATSIM i ever considered, but I'm still learning my ropes to fly properly..anyway, I guess the site you are referring to is sim-routes.com as simroutes.com looks more like spam site..are there any other ATC software out there to replace the FS default ATC? I read somewhere there is..but I forgot where I read it from and what software it is..VATSIM is still too complex for me and vroute is a good software, just that I need to have those payware AIRAC cycles to be updated..i only have AIRAC cycle 0905 installed in my PMDG plane..

If you ignore ATC's instructions enough times, it'll cancel your flight plan. Following its instructions will sometimes seem silly as it vectors you back and forth, back and forth, but you have to follow those instructions if you want to complete your flight under ATC control.The best way to avoid this is, as posted above, to sign up for VATSIM. It's free, and you'll have actual human beings controlling you, so their instructions will usually make sense. I've never come across a VATSIM controller who wasn't extremely helpful for sim pilots who were new to online flying and as genuinely interested in learning as you are. I recommend flying in the Los Angeles sector, as they seem to be the most active around the clock.In my experience, the best artificially intelligent ATC program is Radar Contact. It works with a menu scheme, the same as FS ATC, but is much more realistic. The only drawback to Radar Contact is that the controllers are not real people, but that's offset by the fact that you won't ever have to fly in an "unstaffed" sector.

Kim, the default ATC in the flight simulator is a very poor attempt and providing a realistic air traffic control. It is unaware of standard instrument arrivals/departures, lacks awareness of current navdata, employs simplistic VFR patterns at high traffic locations, etc.There are live on-line ATC such as VATSIM and many happy users of RadarContact. Then there are a few like me that just forego the entire ATC subject and fly without any such thing... but I have been flying real IFR for too long to be content with the current state of the art of ATC simulation. However, if you are interested you may like Radar Contact... visit their forum next door here in the commercial section of AVSIM.

Thanks mate!! great!! I'll visit the neighbour to take a look...hehe.. :(

The mentioned ATC alternatives are all good for a certain purpose. It depends what you're looking for. To sum up:If you want a nice, care-free ATC ambience, chatter, full ATC coverage block to block and don't have so much time in your hands, go for Radar Contact or Proflight 2000 Emulator. They are pretty much head to head in the ATC addon market, with good sides to both.If you're willing to invest more time, want to talk to live controllers and follow exact rl procedures, perhaps to stay current with your IFR skills, try VATSIM or IVAO. The downside is that outside arranged events you hardly ever get full ATC coverage, and even then only get to talk to the same controller ground to center. The overall ambience is not that good in my opinion.So it's a bit of a tradeoff, there is no "perfect" ATC addon.- K. Kyle

anyway, I guess the site you are referring to is sim-routes.com as simroutes.com looks more like spam site..

This is the website: http://www.simroutes.com/It will export both in PMDG and FS.

This is the website: http://www.simroutes.com/It will export both in PMDG and FS.

Just be aware that simroutes.com (an excellent tool that I use everyday) uses the AIRAC cycle from 0711 so you must adjust your flight plans in whatever you export them to. DPs and STARs especially change often and the flight plan may be incorrect. JoeM

Just an FYI. Any flight you take in a 737 or 747 is IFR. These aircraft all have to file a flight plan for myriad reasons, but also because they fly above 18,000 feet and through clouds.If you want to use the built-in ATC for a flight just create your plan to match your FMC plan and make sure it's filed as IFR. To depart, the ATC will allow you to follow your preprogrammed DP no problem. Only on approach do things get difficult. In this case you can cancel the IFR plan when you need to start down or try and use an approach built into the sim. The sim has approaches built in with transitions, they just don't always match. That's when you must get creative. Or cancel the plan as mentioned when you need to start descending, then tune to ATIS to find out the active runway and Wx conditions. If it's IFR only to land, then wait until you are a few miles out from the field to land on the active and refile your plan. Not the best solution, but it works. Or just ignore ATC and land VFR. If the airport is VFR, then you won't need to refile the IFR plan and can just ask for landing clearance.FWIW, I've had Radar Contact and I didn't like it. I'm not suggesting not to get it, but it has some problems. VFR is not supported, nor are uncontrolled airfields. Plus, sometimes you will be left too high or too far from the ILS. Also, the ability to fly an accurate STAR/IAP isn't always possible. It has some problems I've tried to suggest could be fixed easily, but they don't want to implement them.

I ignore ATC from time to time. When I depart from a runway, ATC always wants to get me to my flightplan with ridicilous turns, I just ignore them and then the ATC tells me to expedite my turn. I just dont do it. Same on the approach, I just fly the STAR and ignore ATC for most of the time during approach. Its a bit unrealistic but its working. During a long haul flight I sometimes just cancel my IFR flightplan so I can do some other stuff while the plane is flying itself. When I get close to my destination I just put the IFR flightplan back up and I land the plane (Dont forget to press no when asked to change the location of your airplane)