is there a website or utility where i can put in the METAR and it tells me the most likely runway to be used?

 

If you use Opus weather you can get a destination WX report from the drop-down menu in FSX/P3D.

I use AeroWeather on my iPhone or AivlaSoft EFB.

 

is there a website or utility where i can put in the METAR and it tells me the most likely runway to be used?

 

Most wx programs do.  Some websites that do are:

• SkyVector (hover your mouse over the airport).  It's in METAR so it's not decoded
• FlightAware.com (On the weather tab -- it shows it decoded and you have to hover your mouse over it to get METAR).

One thing ProATC will probably do (if it doesn't already) is to have ATIS for those airports that have them so you can hear the runway and type of approach in use.

proATCX does have ATIS when you activie it in FSX. But the problem is I am forced to choose a SID and STAR when creating my flightplan in ProATCX..

 

proATCX does have ATIS when you activie it in FSX. But the problem is I am forced to choose a SID and STAR when creating my flightplan in ProATCX..

 

In the real world you would get the wx and forecast and probably assume a runway in use based on that (you might be wrong or it might change but that's okay).  Even at the departure airport you might have the right runway but, for whatever reason, they might assign you a different SID.  It can happen. 

Real pilots can correct me if I'm wrong, but if you plan your route properly by making sure you have the destination weather including all the TAFs, then u can plan accordingly for the appropriate STAR and expected runways, with the variables being obstructed runwaya and traffic flow itstill should be a runway within 60 deg or so. Its also a reason why there is a copy route function and route 2 in the fmc. Fly the STAR as you expected and if ATC comes up with a different one you can now switch to route2 with hopefully your next best guess. Otherwise your behind the aircraft and always trying to catch up. <br /><br />Fltaware for routes in N.America is real world so those r the likely SID and STARS. same with routefinder elsewhere. You have a pretty idea as to what will be flown. <br /><br /><br />

I have RC4 and it is long in the tooth, good as it is, and updates seem unlikely.

 

I am looking at ProATC but will not commit until it talks to and manages AI traffic as well.

 

Any word on if or when that may happen?

 

Cheers!

I have RC4 and it is long in the tooth, good as it is, and updates seem unlikely.

 

 

 

I am looking at ProATC but will not commit until it talks to and manages AI traffic as well.

 

 

 

Any word on if or when that may happen?

 

 

 

Cheers!

 

This is almost entirely off subject but, perhaps, at least relevant.  One day I was up around FL210 flying along with RC4 (not ProATC/X) when I got traffic on a King Air approaching, same altitude.  It passed right off my nose, same altitude, about a half mile in front.  Since we were both up in the flight levels, the King Air was IFR too so separation was clearly busted.  It took me a while to think about it but I realized, while RC4 talks to the AI aircraft, it doesn't seem to control them.  I think that's actually being done by FSX ATC even with the voice off.  Since I'm talking to RC4, FSX is unaware that I'm IFR so it's treating me as VFR.  My point is, there's a difference between 'interacting' with AI and 'controlling' AI. 

 

EDIT: Please note that this event was with Radar Contact 4 not ProATC/X.  My point was just clarifying the difference between interacting and controlling.

Thanks Gregg,

 

Ah, from their website:

 

"AI is recognized and managed (not yet on ground, but while airborne)."

 

Excellent, so it IS managed in the air and it is implied it may be on the ground one day as well.  I will check their forums to see where they're at with that.

Thanks Gregg,

 

Ah, from their website:

 

"AI is recognized and managed (not yet on ground, but while airborne)."

 

Excellent, so it IS managed in the air and it is implied it may be on the ground one day as well.  I will check their forums to see where they're at with that.

 

Just so we're clear...I'm talking about RC4 here...not ProATC/X.  I don't know how ProATC/X does it.

proATCX does have ATIS when you activie it in FSX. But the problem is I am forced to choose a SID and STAR when creating my flightplan in ProATCX..

I suppose that SID/STARs is simply entry-mandatory but Pro ATC X would change them accordingly to wind/weTher condition, correct?ATIS would be a very usefull feature, but fsx default one's is limited to 60NM. Would be usefull an ATIS improve range of about 120-150 NM o properly prepare for the approach.

I suppose that SID/STARs is simply entry-mandatory but Pro ATC X would change them accordingly to wind/weTher condition, correct? ATIS would be a very usefull feature, but fsx default one's is limited to 60NM. Would be usefull an ATIS improve range of about 120-150 NM o properly prepare for the approach.

 

Yes it does change them when you ask for clearance in FSX. it has its own in-built ATIS which you can tune into on certain freqs where ever you re i think.

I suppose that SID/STARs is simply entry-mandatory but Pro ATC X would change them accordingly to wind/weTher condition, correct? ATIS would be a very usefull feature, but fsx default one's is limited to 60NM. Would be usefull an ATIS improve range of about 120-150 NM o properly prepare for the approach.

Have a look at OPUS as it's ATIS range is far greater than the standard FSX one

Have a look at OPUS as it's ATIS range is far greater than the standard FSX one

 

I don't use OPUS, but ASE from several years. I didn't know OPUS has that feature, so ATIS is not linked to FSX, but to engine weather?

I don't use OPUS, but ASE from several years. I didn't know OPUS has that feature, so ATIS is not linked to FSX, but to engine weather?

Correct. One of the great features of Opus.