Here is my problem. I fly online all the time. I love it....but everyone knows that from time to time your flight does not have ATC at the airport when you are landing. It either never did, or the controller signed off mid-flight. Here is where I run into problems. Im using the PMDG 737 with the STAR programmed into the FMC. From the last point on the STAR, how do I vector myself to the right point of the runway I am landing at. Do I need some sort of DME arc? I dont know how to do these. I figure if I knew how to do these, it would save me some agony of a long good flight then a landing without the proper procedures. Are there any good tutorials or web pages that can give me tips, or tips on reading an approach chart, especially for the 737 to be able to get into position to land at airports with no ATC?Thanks........ALSO---I want to get a good Video Card under $180 with 128mb RAM to run PMDG 737 and FS9....is this possible, if so what is it?Brad

Brad,You practically answered your question yourself.Makes no difference whether you are flying a 737 or Cessna Skyhawk.What you need is to execute the approach procedure. Unfortunately for that you have to have approach charts for the airports. It is fact of life in real world flying that pilot must be able to navigate and shoot an approach on his own - with absolutely no assistance from ATC. So if you can't do this - yes, you need some tutorial on IFR flying. I think www.clearanceunlimited.com may have some online tutorials. But even better is to get some good textbooks on the topic. Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

What I do is use the runway number and go from there. Like if it's 28, I pass over the airport going 280 heading. then I make my own pattern. Turn left 90 degrees, go for a bit, turn left again 90 degrees and I'm parallel to the runway, two more lefts and I'm on final. With a little math in your head you can do it in the dark.I flew backseat in H2's when I was in the Navy and, using radar, we had a similar technique for making a ship landing in bad weather. Practice a bit and it's second nature.

Brad, Use the runway extension feature in the FMC to line yourself up. If you try Tim Metzinger's fantastic tutorial, available in the AVSIM library, you will see how to do this. It is a great way to line up for approach when you have no ATC for vectors.Mike Stinchfield