So I bought FSBUILD

[conura 45]

I bought FS build and have just installed it, but am now completely lost! Do I need to aligh my FS build with my NGX using the 1.1.0.8 air route data? Are there any simple steps to creating a plan and having it in my FMC? Thanks :)

[conura 45]

Hey all,Just to confirm I have followed the quick start guide but it's not working. It says "Unable to create PMDG 737NG FMC file etc etc"...Hmm

[pow0011 8]

Hey Luke,I'm not sure what you mean by aligning it with the NGX to FSX but I can help you out with the FMC bit.First, go to the options tab on the left side of FS Build.The first row is FS Build wanting to know your FSX main directory. Hit browse and give it your FSX directory.Before you make a flight plan, go into export and click on PMDG 737/747/MD11/J41. Make sure it has a tick next to it after selecting it.If you were flying from Los Angeles to New York the file would be saved as KLAXKJFK.When your in the flight plan page of the FMC put KLAXKJFK into Co-Route and that should put the route FS Build made into your FMC.FS Build will preselect a SID and STAR that could be wrong so that maybe the one thing you might have to change.I find export is much more easier on the longer flights with more airways and waypoints.

[conura 45]

Hi Hendo,Thanks very much! I can't actually find the 'export' option though, where is it?? I mean the initial one where I select the PMDG stuff. Thanks :)

[ronzie 21]

I spotted your post but I use the 737NG series and use FS Build 2.4. It comes with the 1013 AIRAC. I don't know what is supplied with the NGX but your FMC will tell you the version.The autogen function in FSB works pretty well. If you know the runways you want to use enter those first in the dropdown. If you use Active Sky download the current weather as FSB will use it for fuel planning if you want to use that feature.For coordinating the route with ATC here are some tip sheets I wrote based on FSB 2.3 and updated:---------------------FSB tips:1. Include this line in FSbuild.cfg:NAVCHKDUPDIST=100This decreases the chance of using the wrong duplicate named local (to the airport) waypiont from a nearby airport. Local waypoint names are not exclusive. It decreases the database search when it is named in the route to within a 100 nm radius of your airport. You will find these in terminal procedures such as "D" number something within a SID or STAR to define a merge or turning point.2. When doing a Auto Generate (Route) be sure the SR (Stored Route) button next to it is "up" that is not highlighted. Auto Generate will use a stored route if found by default and most are out of date with old waypoints and terminal procedures. Having Stored Routes off forces it to search a path with fresh data. (Now off by default in version 2.4.)**REVISED 6/16/11** 3. FS Build database updates will be exclusively released through navigraph.com. It should be part of the FMC data line. For those not familiar with Navigraph each subscription term (cycle) includes multiple format downloads at no additional cost. This is very convenient for aligning FMC/navigation equipment databases with the flightplanner so among other things ATC data and your nav equipment data should match as you send a plan to ATC and then load it including terminal procedures into your FMC. The 2.4 upgrade includes the thirteenth cycle of 2010. The FSB upgrade is free to 2.x version users and is available via your order history on simmarket.com.4. Where an airport uses specific runways for different terminal procedures select the runway using an estimate based on weather and if the runway fits your aircraft requirements before doing the Auto Generate. This helps select the correct SID and STAR for the runway and direction of departure and arrival.5. After the Auto Generate and/or first build look at the map created to spot any obvious errors. In the route grid look for any sudden non-sensible changes in direction or extremely long legs not in the correct direction creating a zig-zag in the map. (See item 6 following to correct).6. Be aware there is an option you can set for each session titled "Build Route from Grid Table". It does not stick between sessions. This lets you build from an edited route grid that you may have modified without recreating the table with the same error on your next build/export. For example you might wish to drop an errant waypoint when proofing the map and rebuilding.7. Sometimes the name of a procedure (SID/STAR) does not match the name exactly in a published route and the procedure will not expand into its plan waypoints in the grid table. You can click on the arrow in the SID/STAR box to see what close name is in the FSB database. (Another reason to keep up with AIRACS.) For example KMSP has a current real such as this one:http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/KMSP/DP/WAUKON+THREEbut the FSB database only has UKN2. (It does have UKN3 now with the latest available AIRAC update). If so in the route line just change UKN3 to UKN2 so it will expand. Here's a real route from flightaware.com for KMSP to KMDW:KMSP UKN3 DBQ CVA MOTIF3 KMDWthat can be pasted into the FSB route line. If UKN3 or MOTIF3 does not expand in the route grid to individual way points look in the upper part of FSB in the airport section dropping down the SID or STAR box to get the available version and substitute that label in the route line and rebuild. Note that the SID and STAR dropdowns may follow the chosen runway in certain areas.8. Sometimes it takes a second build to get the map to move and/or magnify. The mouse scroll wheel lets you magnify. Just click on the portion of the map you want to center on and scroll to magnify.9. If you click on a line in the route grid table to highlight it, the waypoint on the map will turn red. This is useful for finding errant waypoints that cause an error in the path. That line can then be edited or deleted and a rebuild accomplished with the build option to build from the route grid table.10. If you are running a weather program such as active sky, first build the route in FSB exporting to FS9 using an anticipated cruise altitude and specify the nearest aircraft profile. In AS get the weather you wish to use. (I always get the weather for the zulu time of the departure in FS since time of day affects weather characteristics). Import the plan into AS via the new route button, check the altitude and choose an appropriate true airspeed in knots (this is your no wind ground speed). Process the route. When it is finished click the button to print a hard copy of all. Use this AS navlog for METAR data at both ends and winds aloft and temperature aloft that can be used for FMC data. (You'll also get your estimated average wind at your specified altitude - handy for FMC data.) Leave AS running. Now go back to FSB and your chosen aircraft profile. Enter the surface temperature from your departure METAR, then estimated total taxi time, hold time, and extra time (sometimes called discretionary fuel). Now turn on again your FS9 export along with any FMC export you might use. Rebuild and you'll see the messages regarding the export completion. On the route selection on the left which brings up your route window select the navlog tab and click the .pdf to save the navlog in a file or the print button to get a hard copy so you can easily reference the estimated fuel and other data. This estimated fuel has now taken into account your winds aloft data - no need to enter it in FSB. Now that you have the hard copy and exported your route, you can first optionally save the plan by selecting flightplan window, then clicking the category tab, then select user category. Now click file, save from the menu bar. The name you might want to embellish. Click Save Route To User Flight Plans. For another session, you can recall this working plan and just build.11. If you are using an aircraft with nav equipment that has its own terminal data procedures in its nav equipment (think FMC) you might wish to use step 6 above to take out the waypoints of the terminal procedures keeping just the transition points and build and export with just them. This easily in most cases lets you select the SID and STAR assigned by ATC on your nav equipment by providing a clean legs list in your nav equipment. If you need ATC to monitor the waypoints of the terminal procedure than just export all. To keep ATC and you nav equipment in sync, you might consider importing the full plan into your nav equipment and not using your nav equipment procedure database.This is kind of long but through experience I've described some tricks I've used watching out for any pitfalls.Be sure to check the FSBuild forum for updates. ---------------------There is some information of the FSBuild site fsbuild.com but it is outdated. In your FSBuild folder you find a Documents section for you to browse.To pick the best SID and STAR you might have to use charts. I use flightaware.com for FAA charts and registered at http://ead-website.ead-it.com/publicuser/public/pu/login.jsp for European Union airport data.It is best at least one time to have FSB and your FMC data synced up so your FMC and plan sent to ATC are synced up by exporting from FSB in the NGX FMC format.

[conura 45]

Ronzie - Thanks so much for that response, I'll work my way through it!I bought my copy of FSbuild from Sim Market, do I need to update it at all? It seems like the patches are a bit random...I guess getting my software up to date is my top priority!

[ronzie 21]

The export option is in the FSB menu bar as "Export To . . . ". I don't choose to make them permanent in the Options permanent setups but set them after I'm satisfied with the plan build after proofing the map for errant waypoints. Click the PMDG 737/747/MD11/J41 line to activate it in that dropdown. I also in the same dropdown activate the FS9/FSX export which works with FSX and most add-ons however you can also export the FSX XML version as well.

[conura 45]

Ahh I see! I don't have those aircraft on my list :S I bought this version:http://secure.simmarket.com/ernie-alston-fsbuild-2.phtmlDo I need to update??Thanks :)

[ubersu 78]

Ahh I see! I don't have those aircraft on my list :S I bought this version:http://secure.simmar...fsbuild-2.phtmlDo I need to update??Thanks :)

Yes, if you log in to your Simmarket account you should find the 2.4 update on your downloads page...DJ

[conura 45]

I'm a moron :) Thanks

[wanabflyer 53]

Luke. I don't know how far you've got yet, but make sure after you have Set your path to FSX etc in the options and you have saved the data base, make sure you exit FSBUILD and then re-open before trying to build a flight plan.Regards,

[Jetman67 517]

great program steep learning curve initially

[flyingscampi 2]

In case you're not aware, to sync the NavData in FSBuild to the NGX you'll need to buy some credit from Navigraph and download the FSBuild and PMDG options.http://www.navigraph...www/default.asp

[Rieder 3]

You might find this thread useful;http://forum.avsim.net/topic/351504-fs-build/Steve

[eSimmer 10]

I bought FS build and have just installed it, but am now completely lost! Do I need to aligh my FS build with my NGX using the 1.1.0.8 air route data? Are there any simple steps to creating a plan and having it in my FMC? Thanks :)

Also, take a look at the videos at the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80KwfweEcA0