Where can I get charts to make sure the waypoints, etc. are done correctly? And how does everyone know which 'departure' vector to go on, there is usually many per airport, or even many per runway. Every time I build a flight plan it takes me absolutely nowhere near where I set the plan to go. I don't understand why it does that because I feel like I select the right things, but for example, I don't know an airway to use between PHX and LAX. And then on top of that, even if I do, it all gets messed up by the end, because whatever I do, I pick the wrong thing, so instead of this vector I pick 'that' vector and that ruins the whole plan. It's dumb, can anyone help a newbie out like me?

 

-Jeremy Chesney

 

Sorry for spamming the forum, I just have to ask these questions, I can't find answers.

A good start would be to use FAA preferred routes: http://www.fly.faa.gov/rmt/nfdc_preferred_routes_database.jsp

 

Then you may take a look at http://flightaware.com/statistics/ifr-route/. There you'll find the last flight plans used in the U.S.

 

For outside the U.S., i usually use http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/, along with vRoute and http://skyvector.com/

 

To find the correct SID/STAR to be used is a little tricky. The easiest way is to look for the first or second enroute fix and see if there's any procedure whose name matches it. If you don't find nothing like that, you might have to take a look at all procedures to make sure which one is the right one. Or;

 

If you flight online, you might want to check the ARTCC webpage. They usually provide tons of info for beginners.

 

Charts:

U.S.: http://www.aeroplanner.com

Europe: http://www.ead.eurocontrol.int/eadcms/eadsite/index.php.html

A bunch of other countries: http://www.sia.aviation-civile.gouv.fr/asp/ais.asp?idl=uk

Or you google 'Vatsim <country>' and you'll probably find some too.

Awesome, thanks, I will look into that, it seems interesting. And Yes, the SID's and STAR's are my main problems.

I found "Flight Sim Commander" a useful source of information for finding the correct SID's and STAR's to use, and also the Jet Airways too. I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm getting there. I'm trying to "plan" my departure, choose the airways, and select my arrivals and approaches in FSC. Then I put that data manually into the FMC. As posted, finding the correct "names" in the FMC can be a bit tricky, but there's usually clues in the transition names somewhere.

 

I too will have a look at the sites posted, maybe they will help.

 

Thanks

The main trouble I have is getting the lateral route, that would mostly solve my problems.

Subscribe to IVAO or VATSIM. They have route databases, charts and will explain you everything you need to know about it.

 

It's free.

 

Bert Van Bulck

I just don't understand why all of those websites, they don't tell me the right SID's and STAR's so I can't go anywhere with the FMC. I have to do the stupid IFR method in which I have to listen to ATC and have to do all of that. Is there any way that I can find a lateral flight plan that gives me all of the information?

 

-Jeremy Chesney

Every flight plan I enter is wrong and takes me nowhere. None of those websites given have helped. I don't know what to do now, how did all of you get yours to work?

I am confused with your last statement. If you check out the flightaware link that was posted and look up a city pair say kord klax It gives you this as an example.

 

 

Sat 09:50AM CDT UAL608 KORD KLAX A320/Q FL340 PLL PLL275065 FOD OBH J10 LBF DBL J60 HEC RIIVR2 1788 sm

 

This is a United flight on an A320 which filed for FL340. Looks like there was no SID on the departure but there is a STAR going into lax. The RIIVR2 arrival and it gives you the door to door route. Either I am not understanding your question or you are not understanding the information that those websites are providing..

 

 

DJuan Carter

 

 

 

Can the issue maybe be that you are not inputting the information in the fmc properly?

 

 

 

DJuan Carter

I just don't understand why all of those websites, they don't tell me the right SID's and STAR's so I can't go anywhere with the FMC. I have to do the stupid IFR method in which I have to listen to ATC and have to do all of that. Is there any way that I can find a lateral flight plan that gives me all of the information?

 

-Jeremy Chesney

 

In europe they wont tell you about SIDs and STARs because they are not part of your flight planned route.

 

A sid or a star is a tool used by Air Traffic Control to expedite and organise the traffic flow. If ATC wants to use a SID or STAR they will, if they want to vector you they will.

 

The NGX models real world flying and in the real world a commercial pilot can't decide (in Europe still, US is slightly different) what SID or STAR to fly, or not to fly one, ATC will assign and the pilot will fly.

 

 

I think the issue is that you want to bend the system of air traffic in a way that won't work, regardless of you useing the NGX or a default plane.

 

 

As said above though if you want to try online flying, VATSIM now has pilot training programs that will get you started and teach you the basics of the ATC system and how you should work with it.

Okay, ntrlsur, how exactly would you input that, so I know I'm not messing up. That appears to make sense. Do I need a code for departure? If so, where can I find it?

They will not teach you the FMC per se but they will teach you how the system works, allowing you to understand the FMC. Because it is obvious from your posts you lack an understanding of the overlaying system, leading to things such as your comment above regarding the CLN4D (Clacton 4D) SID (Standard Instrument Departure).

 

And to answer the question, CLN is a VOR (VHF Omni-directional Range), which is at the end of that SID.

 

The 4 is a version number, which is changed to 5 when there is a change to the SID, then to 6 and so on up to 9, after which it goes back to 1 again.

 

D is a designator to distinguish it from other SIDs to the same point.

 

For example to clacton we have CLN8R and CLN4S from stansted, rwy 22 (8R) and 04 (4S). We have from Gatwick runway 08L (CLN5W), 08R (CLN5P), 26L(CLN8M) and 26R (CLN8V).

 

So to make sure you fly the correct SID we use designators, this also mean that when you get a clearance from Gatwick via the CLN8M departure, you know runway 26L is in use, thereby you don't have to mention the rnuway over the radio, saving time for controllers and pilots alike.

Cool,

Okay, ntrlsur, how exactly would you input that, so I know I'm not messing up. That appears to make sense. Do I need a code for departure? If so, where can I find it?

Still interested in help for this.

 

-Jeremy Chesney

Hi jeremy. This is the way i plan a route, maby you will find it usefull:

1. Go to http://www.vataware.com/ , click "top routes" and find a route between the airports you need. Copy the route string.

2. Go to http://www.simroutes.com/fb2/AccountRetrieve.aspx . Click "generate route". Write the origin and destination. Paste the route string in the big text box in the middle. Generate route. Therse an option to save the route in few formats. Save it to youre desktop in pmdg format.

3. Move the saved file to fsx/pmdg/flightplans/ngx directory. Now youcan upload it in the fmc.

4. For sid stars just google "klax charts", as an example. Most of times you will find a pdf with all procedures you need. Find one that comes or goes to the direction you need. Usualy it will have the name of the first point in your route (in sid). Just make sure you have an updated nav data in your fmc.

5. Note this- atc always will mess your plans in fsx! If you plan to fly real sid stars dont file ifr route. Just go vfr. Or get some kind of atc addon.

6. To get an idea of the active runway at your destination you will need one of the weather addons, they have that information presented. Or wait untill you are aboute 30 nm from destination and listen to atis.

 

Hope it makes sense..

Giora

Hi jeremy. This is the way i plan a route, maby you will find it usefull:

1. Go to http://www.vataware.com/ , click "top routes" and find a route between the airports you need. Copy the route string.

2. Go to http://www.simroutes...ntRetrieve.aspx . Click "generate route". Write the origin and destination. Paste the route string in the big text box in the middle. Generate route. Therse an option to save the route in few formats. Save it to youre desktop in pmdg format.

3. Move the saved file to fsx/pmdg/flightplans/ngx directory. Now youcan upload it in the fmc.

4. For sid stars just google "klax charts", as an example. Most of times you will find a pdf with all procedures you need. Find one that comes or goes to the direction you need. Usualy it will have the name of the first point in your route (in sid). Just make sure you have an updated nav data in your fmc.

5. Note this- atc always will mess your plans in fsx! If you plan to fly real sid stars dont file ifr route. Just go vfr. Or get some kind of atc addon.

6. To get an idea of the active runway at your destination you will need one of the weather addons, they have that information presented. Or wait untill you are aboute 30 nm from destination and listen to atis.

 

Hope it makes sense..

Giora

 

That seems to be working, do you know if it's required that an approach is picked by me, or is that automatically set by the flight plan? If so, some guidance would be helpful on how to set up the approach.