This might be a completely clueless question, but as I get more and more information under my belt with the NGX I accept more and more real world information and try to integrated it into my flight...

 

i.e. I only use real weather from jeppesen (sp?) on every flight to make said flights more realistic... What this introduces is a very real possibility that my shiny and perfectly planned STAR approach that I can fly with my eyes closed will suddenly change on my approach to the airport to a completely different set of runways and approach direction star choices.

 

This happened just the other night where when I contacted my destination airport KSFO expecting runway 28L or 28R, I was given the instruction to land on 19L, whoa! scramble scramble scramble... reprogram the CDU check recheck, wait first officer, shut up! I'm concentrating on the CDU, Oakland center, not now! I don't want to check on aircraft in sight, I'm having trouble with a discontinuity in my flightplan!

 

*sigh*

 

I got it all sorted out, but I think it was FAR more stressful then it needed to be...

 

This might be common knowledge and maybe there is a simple place to find it in the menus and onscreen charts, but is there a place where I can find out runway information of my destination airport WELL in advance of getting into the vicinity? I mean even far outside ATIS radio range? What is the standard operating procedure for this kind of thing (in NGX, not real world I mean :) )

 

I realize that it is still possible for the wind to completely change when I am only 15 miles from the airport, but still, having it in my mind that I know while still far away if it has changed from what it is usually, makes me feel a little more relaxed :)

 

Thanks in advance and apologies for the clueless question...

I'm using AS2012 ATIS at 122.02.

think using standard fsx atis the range is 30 nm before your destination airport before you can find out the wind direction etc. Or you can cheat go to map and than scroll to your destination airport and check there, or you can go online and check the metars for each airport to find the wind direction to roughly work out your landing rwy.Or if you go to what weather addon you have being rexe or as2012 you can use either to find your metars at your destination

AS2012 (Active Sky 2012) works for me there is a dst button on the gauge which means destination and it give you wind direction. So you can set your arrival runway and transition info. Dont fly with out it now.

Even though I never have trouble reprogramming the FMC, I know that some companies SOPs state that if you are being overloaded with new information (runway/star change, etc) to fly off of raw instruments. That's what I suggest doing if you get tasked overload. Also, try and limit your CDU inputs below 10,000ft.

I'm using AS2012 ATIS at 122.02.

 

I didn't even know about this, do I need the XGauge installed for it to work or do I just tune to 122.02?

I didn't even know about this, do I need the XGauge installed for it to work or do I just tune to 122.02?

 

No. You need just to file flightplan in AS.

 

 

No. You need just to file flightplan in AS.

 

Cool thanks, I just skimmed the manual (should have before..), 122.0 is ATIS for the closest station, with 122.02 being for the filed destination.

 

This is great. Helps with the AFCADs that have crosswind runways too, no longer have to listen to ATIS rattle off a million runways.

 

Check the TAF, and several previous METARS before you go. Then you will have a general idea. Additionally, I don't program the STAR until I get an updated weather report, either halfway throught the flight or 3 hours before landing whichever comes later. In the real world ATC wil tell you to expect the STAR. Then I will program it in the computer.

 

VR

Todd

http://www.liveatc.net

Another option is