Hello guys, Im considering to buy Radar Contact 4 and i ran into something. My concern is simply as the title indicates. I was reading the RC manual and it was describing how to load a premade flightplan into RC. I might be just dumb or not patient enough to take my time and read the manual properly, but how would RC work with the ngx if you make the flightplan via the FMC? Thanks for your time! - Arthur

The NGX most certainly works with RC4, I've done it many times. You need to use an application like FSBuild or Vroute Premium that can output flight plans in the standard FSX format even if they contain waypoints from SIDs and STARs etc. You then load that flightplan file into RC4, but program your NGX FMC normally. The FSX flight file is not loaded into the FMC or anything like that. The purpose of the FSX file is just to tell RC4 what route you're intending to fly so that it knows what to do.

Used it with RC4 with no problems at all, although in my case I manually put in the FMC waypoints read from the nav log on the FSX kneepad that was originally an EFB flight plan I pulled into FSX which I also pulled into RC4 for the ATC. I didn't really need to do it that way I guess, but I wanted to play with the shiny new CDU Al

I did an RC4 flight the other night, which went fine except for the fact I could hear the default ATC in the background of some channels and traffic backed up at my departing airport.I'll have to read the RC4 instructions again.

Hello guys, Im considering to buy Radar Contact 4 and i ran into something. My concern is simply as the title indicates. I was reading the RC manual and it was describing how to load a premade flightplan into RC. I might be just dumb or not patient enough to take my time and read the manual properly, but how would RC work with the ngx if you make the flightplan via the FMC? Thanks for your time! - Arthur

Yes, it works fine. For flight plans I use a combination of FlightAware http://flightaware.com/analysis/route.rvt and Simroutes http://www.simroutes.com/fb2/ParseRoute.aspx . After you generate a flight plan in Simroutes you then have a option to export it into many format types like PMDG, LevelD, FSX, FS9, ect et. Select the FSX format and save it and RC will be able to import that into it.

I did an RC4 flight the other night, which went fine except for the fact I could hear the default ATC in the background of some channels and traffic backed up at my departing airport.I'll have to read the RC4 instructions again.

You need to turn off or uncheck voice in the sound options in FSX. Jim

Just a couple questions for those more familiar with RC4 than myself. First, my NGX usually causes a CTD or a black screen when I go into windowed form to start RC4. Is their any way around this? I unfortunately haven't flown any routes with RC4 and my NGX yet because of this reason. How is it that you guys launch RC4 and run the PMDG NGX at the same time? Secondly, if I used a program such as FSBuild to create a route with a STAR, when I upload it to Radar Contact and fly it, will RC realize where the STAR is? Meaning that instead of asking for a IAP, it will realize this through the STAR and clear you the STAR? Or does it still automatically vector you and you have to request the IAP? Thanks guys!

Just a couple questions for those more familiar with RC4 than myself. First, my NGX usually causes a CTD or a black screen when I go into windowed form to start RC4. Is their any way around this? I unfortunately haven't flown any routes with RC4 and my NGX yet because of this reason. How is it that you guys launch RC4 and run the PMDG NGX at the same time? Secondly, if I used a program such as FSBuild to create a route with a STAR, when I upload it to Radar Contact and fly it, will RC realize where the STAR is? Meaning that instead of asking for a IAP, it will realize this through the STAR and clear you the STAR? Or does it still automatically vector you and you have to request the IAP? Thanks guys!

Cameron, I get everythng setup and the last thing I do is start RC. I ALT ENTER to go into window mode and then setup and start RC and then ALT ENTER back into full screen mode. If you are using ENB you may want to try running without it and see if you have problems. As muh as I liked ENB I simply cant run it ever since I started flying the NGX. Now as far as your STAR question goes, you must have the waypoints for the STAR in the flightplan and a STAR is not a IAP. The STAR's job is to get you to the start of the approach and RC will then want to vector you AFTER contacting approach. It is then you need to select IAP if you so desire. I read on the RC forum that it has been asked to allow us to ask for a IAP before contacting approach in the next version of RC. Jim

Thanks Jim! I do appreciate it. However what is ENB? :( If I am running it by accident, hopefully that is what's causing my problem

I'll get my flight plans from RoutFinder and place the route string in Flightsim Commander. FSC will instantly build the flightplan. Then I add SIDs and STARs if needed and save the flight to FSX. In FSX, I'll select the flight and resave it, then RC4 will load it without any problems. Bob

I apologize Arthur for "stealing" your thread but Jim, I tried starting Radar Contact via ALT and ENTER and was able to do it successfully however, upon going back to fullscreen FSX was basically just the ground. No Autogen, aircraft (the 737 was invisible) or taxiways/runways. What's happening?

Thanks Jim! I do appreciate it. However what is ENB? If I am running it by accident, hopefully that is what's causing my problem

If you dont know you have ENB then you dont. It is a lighting MOD and you have to manually install it into your FSX folder. Some people can run it just fine and some have problems with it. I fall in the later. Also another note, I have started NOT entering the SID in my flight plans. That way if ATC wants me somewhere else I simply can use another SID as long as the new SID being used has a common transition waypoint. Jim Jim

I apologize Arthur for "stealing" your thread but Jim, I tried starting Radar Contact via ALT and ENTER and was able to do it successfully however, upon going back to fullscreen FSX was basically just the ground. No Autogen, aircraft (the 737 was invisible) or taxiways/runways. What's happening?

Well thats a new one to me! I have never seen that. RC shouldnt be doing anything to your textures. I would start a thread on the RC forum and see if they can help. Jim

I think it's more of a NGX thing. I can start RC4 in a windowed form and then bring it back to fullscreen without any problem with other add-on aircraft.

Thanks for your responses guys!

You need to use an application like FSBuild or Vroute Premium that can output flight plans in the standard FSX format even if they contain waypoints from SIDs and STARs etc.

So say i get Vroute premium, will i be able to add SID's and STAR's to the route as well? As i cant seem to find this option in the standard version of Vroute. Oh and another small question. If i chose not to add an SID or STAR to the flightplan that i load into RC, will the RC-ATC then give me an SID/STAR to fly? And also, if i have chosen a spesific SID/STAR could the ATC ask me to fly a different one? As far as i know this can happend in RL. I know the two last questions are stricly related to RC, but i'd be very happy if anyone could answer them :) Cheers - Arthur

Actually, I found that RC does not do very well with SIDs/STARs that involve some vectoring. The one SID that comes to mind is CYOW2 from CYOW.I punched it in RC and was waiting for intercept vectors and kept flying the heading stated in the SID but after a whiles, the only instruction I got from RC was that I was off course and only then did it give vectors to intercept my first en route waypoint. The SID was quite simple: Fly runway heading to YOW then fly heading (dont remember) then vectors to first en route waypoint. The vectors never came. As far as I know, if you dont insert a SID or STAR in RC it will vector you instead but will not assign a specific SID or STAR. Hope this helps

Cameron, how much memory does your system have? These are classic low memory symptoms.