Hey guys,

 

Being new to the 737 NGX and FMC in general, I have a what you might think is a silly question. But what I am wondering is, is there a way to get airport SID's and Star's without the need for airport charts? I'm having trouble programming a decent approach into the FMC without it going directly to a runway. I know if I hit the dep/arr button it gives me a list of arrivals and departures, but I seem to be having a tough time picking the correct one. Yesterday I spent 45 minutes trying to program an approach into an airport that didn't discontinue the route.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

There are many free charts available on FlightAware or through Google, and using them is a good practice and necessary skill. I personally use Navigraph nDAC payware charts (I find them to be easier to read).

 

By going through each individual chart or looking at the index, you narrow your options down by considering only the SIDs and STARs that (1) suit your aircraft and aircraft equipment, (2) match the direction and route of your flight, and (3) match your desired or required runway. There are plenty of tutorials about charts and their utilization.

 

Can you not just close the discontinuity by up-selecting the following waypoint?

To be honest mate, it's a total guessing game if you don't have charts.

 

However some STARs names are the last waypoints name or similar of the flight plan. Not every airport, but a fair share. A technique I used was selecting the Arrival Runway, generally a lot of STARs disappear because some are meant for certain runways.

 

Example: .... UL6 MARGO UT544 MOPIN - that's the end of the flight plan (fictional).

 

I then look at the STARs in the FMC and see there's;

 

MOP5A

MOP2T

MOP8J

 

So what I'd do is select the arrival runway, it will then generally remove two options in the example, then bingo! That's your answer.

 

For SIDs, it's generally easier. Say our route was: CPT UL9 BASO DCT DOGAL... (fictional)

 

I would have four options for the SID, since there's two runways and four different types of departures from each side.

 

CPT3F, CPT3G, CPT4K, CPT5J

 

To get my answer I would select the departure, this case being 27L, it will leave me with CPT3G.

 

That's one way I used before getting navigraph charts. Hope this somewhat helped.

 

 

Another thing: you can try using PLAN mode to make sure that the SIDs and STARs you eventually select are appropriate and efficient for your flight.

 

That's one way I used before getting navigraph charts. Hope this somewhat helped.

So you use Navigraph nDAC charts, too? I thought the overwhelming majority of people use Jeppesen charts.

Plan mode and legs page and use the step button to show the route

 

 

"I then look at the STARs in the FMC and see there's;

 

MOP5A

MOP2T

MOP8J

 

So what I'd do is select the arrival runway, it will then generally remove two options in the example, then bingo! That's your answer."

 

 

I am not seeing this method I choose a runway and still have a bunch of stars I have to pick and if its not the right one what a mess lol

 

Question: say it puts in a star I don't want how do I clear it out to start over I have been just going back to dep/arr screen and start over is this the only way - thank you.

Question: say it puts in a star I don't want how do I clear it out to start over I have been just going back to dep/arr screen and start over is this the only way - thank you.

At least in the B747 FMC, you press ERASE instead of EXEC.

Ok Owen have to try that - thanks

So you use Navigraph nDAC charts, too? I thought the overwhelming majority of people use Jeppesen charts.

 

Affirm! Well I would use Jeppesen's but the subscription cost is ridiculous. So next best thing was the nDAC Charts!

If you're flying online, I'd just mention that if you don't have any way to view the actual SID or STAR not to file it. Controllers are expecting you to see the chart and be aware of any information that may be printed on it such as altitude or speed restrictions. If you just throw it in the FMC and hope the plane does it all for you you may be missing critical information, or the database could even be wrong and the procedure is incorrect.

If you're flying online, I'd just mention that if you don't have any way to view the actual SID or STAR not to file it. Controllers are expecting you to see the chart and be aware of any information that may be printed on it such as altitude or speed restrictions. If you just throw it in the FMC and hope the plane does it all for you you may be missing critical information, or the database could even be wrong and the procedure is incorrect.

 

Amen, I will always say don't file it if you are unsure of how to fly it. Many sids/stars in the fmc are missing altitude or speed restrictions, and even fixes on the transitions.

 

Keep learning and asking questions!

Many sids/stars in the fmc are missing altitude or speed restrictions,

 

Be careful. If it says "expect X at Y," it's not a restriction until the controller says it. In some cases, these will not be set into the arrival procedure.

Thanks guys for all the sound advice. I don't fly online and don't plan on it so I don't mind if I'm missing certain specific procedures. All I want is to have a nice easy approach onto a runway. But it seems as though the only way to accomplish that is to use charts or spend 45 minutes fine tuning each approach.

Affirm! Well I would use Jeppesen's but the subscription cost is ridiculous. So next best thing was the nDAC Charts!

 

Agreed. I love the level of detail in the nDAC charts! Best $ I've spent, except for the NGX.

Affirm! Well I would use Jeppesen's but the subscription cost is ridiculous. So next best thing was the nDAC Charts!

 

You could just use the charts that are freely available for the UK: http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=6&Itemid=13.html

 

Most countries in Europe have them available for free, just use google and do a little searching (usually the country name with AIP afterwards will suffice). The USA is also covered by this search engine: http://aircharts.org/

 

Regards

 

Callum McLoughlin

 

Be careful. If it says "expect X at Y," it's not a restriction until the controller says it. In some cases, these will not be set into the arrival procedure.

 

Correct, I was referring to RNAV Descend via restrictions. I should have been more specific.