I haven't seen this posted so...

 

If you are trying to fly a STAR with FSX ATC here's one way to get to fly more of it before ATC begins final vectors:

 

1) add the STAR waypoints directly into the flight plan as best as possible. FSX ATC will bug you if you leave the lateral flight plan you filed at the start of the flight. Many STARS can be predicted before you take off.

 

2) at the TD (top of descent) is where FSX ATC usually takes over and begins to assign you vectors. This is often before you can begin your STAR. :( To delay this and get more time to fly your own descent and STAR, contact ATC and "Request Altitude Decrease (10,000)" a minute or less before your predicted TD.

 

FSX ATC will now leave you alone as you begin your descent and STAR. You can stack multiple Alt Decrease requests. Eg at 26000, request -10000. As you begin descending, request another 4000 descent, for example. ATC will reply "Descend to 16000, expect 12000".

 

ATC seems to be satisfied to leave you alone as long as you stay on your filed lateral flight plan and continue descending to the latest descent request. Once you level off at the final lower altitude, ATC will assign you a runway and vectors.

 

Use the altitude descend requests to fly as much or a little of your STAR as you wish.

 

I haven't tested this extensively, just two flights, there could be a limit to how much you can push this so chime in if you find problems.

 

Holiday Cheers

Clark

Good Idea.....Thanks

Well, that idea was shot down pretty quick.. This didn't work hardly at all for KLAS (Las Vegas). ATC butted in well outside 50 miles and proceeded to drive me deep below the STAR. They had me skimming the mountain tops like my MD11 was some kind of bush plane.

 

Sigh. Back to cancelling IFR shortly after take off...

 

Clark

They had me skimming the mountain tops

Had that problem when arriving in LOWS on RWY34 under ATC guideance, it's really annoying, and btw, in LOWI it's even worse!

But what really helps is waiting for ATC to give you the first approach advice ("You're xx miles out, turn to heading xxx, descend and maintain FL XYZ") and then requesting an approach via a certain transition (whichever is apt for your respective STAR). You will then be cleared to this waypoint with no further advice regarding your heading, and after that you'll be cleared to land. This is the best and most realistic thing you could do without using an ATC addon.

 

Regards,

Flo

Last time I did that, ATC still forced me to vectors so I didn't get what you described. :( But I'll try it again.

 

Clark