Hi guys I know how to set up the FMC on the PMDG already and the whole flight plan but I have no idea which STARS/SIDS/TRANS to pick..how can I find out? I use the FSBUILD to make flight plans and it gives me the SIDS and STARS; however, they don't always show up in the FMC..help? thank you!!

Make sure you have the latest AIRAC for both FSBuild and the 747. The FSBuild AIRAC can be had on their website, and the 747's can be gotten either at navigraph.com or planepath.org.You can also go to flightaware.com to find the real world counterpart for your flight, which will show you what flight path (including SIDs and STARs) they have used.Matt

Thank YOU!!!! :D

flightaware.com also has bundled terminal procedures (SIDs,STARs, and instrument approaches) with an airport diagram as a .pdf file. You can look at them to determine what kind to use based on your arrival or take-off direction and where described aircraft type. Some STARS have paths that split at a common point for specific runways. Other STARS may have multiple entries based on arrival airway and direction that funnel down to a specific runway or set of runways.The reverse applies to SIDs.So the criteria for picking a STAR is the arrival area/direction off of an airway for either all runways or a specific set of runways. Many end at a point with comment "Expect vectors to . . . " meaing ATC vectors to get you lined up with the instrument approach for your assigned arrival runway.The criteria for picking a SID (DP) is your exit direction onto an airway and the runways, if not all, that it serves. Some SIDs require ATC vectors to get you lined up on them.

Also for better written SID/STAR files look here:http://planepath.com/html/pmdg.htmlFor the US, look for Dan Downs in the library.