Having spent several weeks successfully flying the 737-900 using the MS flight plans, I thought it about time to have a go at the FMS. There seem to be two initial difficulties:1. Where does the source information come from. If, for example, I want to fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh, where do I find the waypoints. (The FS flight plan does not work since it only gives abbreviations and PMDG needs the full name).2. The PMDG FMS keyboard seems to have a few bugs in it. Typing 1 to 10 I get 123456123789.

I seem to have found the answers to both questions. The FMC allows the keyboard to be used and the FS data can be used for the FMC. Will now try to FMC from Manchester to Cardiff and see if I get there in one piece.........................

"I want to fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh, where do I find the waypoints."I use Hi/Lo altitude charts.

A good source for flightplans is vataware.com, look under the heading Navigation and type in the ICAO code for your departure airport or do a city pair search. Either way will generate routes used by carriers in the real world or something very close.There is a free flight planning tool at simroutes.com, under the generate route tab you can enter departure and arrival airports and paste the routing info into the appropriate window will result in a map view below.I have been using FSBuild for a number of years and swear by it. Combine that with Aivlasoft RFB and it makes for a great combination in flight planning.

DEINIOLENMANThe number issue with the FMC is probably to do with a wide screen monitor, there is a known issue about this. Do a search as I have nothing to hand.As for planning a route, one of the best freeware websites out there is this one. It is very self explanitory but should you have any issues with it then come back to us. Of course, these planning websites are all good and well, but you have to have updated an AIRAC cycle installed to ensure they work 100%.Best of luck, let us know how you go.

DEINIOLENMANThe number issue with the FMC is probably to do with a wide screen monitor, there is a known issue about this. Do a search as I have nothing to hand.As for planning a route, one of the best freeware websites out there is this one. It is very self explanitory but should you have any issues with it then come back to us. Of course, these planning websites are all good and well, but you have to have updated an AIRAC cycle installed to ensure they work 100%.Best of luck, let us know how you go.

Many thanks indeed (and also to all those whoi have answered). At first glance it looks pretty good (and impressive to someone who remembers nightflying with a sextant).

What ever happened to the rule "must sign all posts with your real name"?Jim Dow

I have been using FSBuild for a number of years and swear by it. Combine that with Aivlasoft RFB and it makes for a great combination in flight planning.

Sorry, there was a typo... should have read Aivlasoft EFBJim is right, please sign with your real name as per PMDG's rules.

Jim is right, please sign with your real name as per PMDG's rules.

He is right, but isn't it up to the PMDG moderators to police this? Personally I have more pressing things to worry about :(

It's really up to all of us to keep the rules in front of us. The MODS have the responsibility to delete non-conforming posts if they see fit. But we can't expect it all to fall upon them. If you don't care, than don't worry about it. But if you have "more pressing issues", why did you respond to this post?Jim Dow

NoIt's up to ones self to police your own responsibilities. When you sign up here you sign up to the terms & conditions of this forum to behave yourself, I see nothing that says you have to police what others do and don't do.Unfortunately we can expect it to fall upon the moderators to do the policing, it is PMDGs policy that people sign their real names, not ours. Ask yourself this question, if someone didn't sign their real name does it matter one iota to you in any way, shape or form? I doubt that it does, if it does then how do you manage in other forums where people use pseudo identities? There really is more important things in life to worry about.You're not the type of person who flashes people to put their lights on when on the motorway when it is barely twighlight are you?

It never fails to astonish me, the number of people who cannot distinguish between being efficient and being officious. I think my name (so far as it might interest anyone) is given is the address line

It never fails to astonish me, the number of people who cannot distinguish between being efficient and being officious. I think my name (so far as it might interest anyone) is given is the address line

One thing, my name is not maxam66 (I would have hated my parents if they gave me that name) Forum rules my friend:http://forum.avsim.net/topic/245586-you-must-sign-your-full-real-name-to-posts-to-use-this-forum-posts-without-names-will-be-deleted/

From this point forward, any posts without the user's real name signed will be deleted without warning. Far too many posts without names are happening now. This has been a rule at this forum since we started the company and many are choosing to ignore it or are simply posting without reading the rules, both of which are signs that the user(s) in question shouldn't be posting.

Having spent several weeks successfully flying the 737-900 using the MS flight plans, I thought it about time to have a go at the FMS. There seem to be two initial difficulties:1. Where does the source information come from. If, for example, I want to fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh, where do I find the waypoints. (The FS flight plan does not work since it only gives abbreviations and PMDG needs the full name).2. The PMDG FMS keyboard seems to have a few bugs in it. Typing 1 to 10 I get 123456123789.

Helllo,1) The FS flightplanner is really not a flightplanner. I wouldn't use it ever.I get my flightplans from IVAO.aero (or VATSIM if you want to). Both are free online virtual aviation communities with LOADS of usefull information and training.These four routes the IVAO FP database gave me from EGLL to EGPH:FL245 to FL660 InclusiveBUZAD T420 WELIN UN57 POL UN601 MARGO TWEED1AFL245 to FL660 InclusiveN0434F360 WOBUN DCT OLNEY T420 WELIN UT420 TNT UN57 POL UN601 MARGOFL000 to FL245 InclusiveBUZAD T420 POL N601 MARGO TWEED1AFL000 to FL245 InclusiveWOBUN DCT WELIN T420 POL N601 MARGO TWEED1A2) Make sure your windows font is set to "normal"If you have more questions, don't hesitate. :)Best Regards,Bert Van Bulck

That's most kind of you. Many thnks.

Helllo,1) The FS flightplanner is really not a flightplanner. I wouldn't use it ever.I get my flightplans from IVAO.aero (or VATSIM if you want to). Both are free online virtual aviation communities with LOADS of usefull information and training.These four routes the IVAO FP database gave me from EGLL to EGPH:FL245 to FL660 InclusiveBUZAD T420 WELIN UN57 POL UN601 MARGO TWEED1AFL245 to FL660 InclusiveN0434F360 WOBUN DCT OLNEY T420 WELIN UT420 TNT UN57 POL UN601 MARGOFL000 to FL245 InclusiveBUZAD T420 POL N601 MARGO TWEED1AFL000 to FL245 InclusiveWOBUN DCT WELIN T420 POL N601 MARGO TWEED1A2) Make sure your windows font is set to "normal"If you have more questions, don't hesitate. :)Best Regards,Bert Van Bulck