I have the PMDG 737NGX and I wonder how do I know what runway I would get for takeoff to enter in FMC before contacting the ATC ?

 

MB

Possibly ATIS. But you should enter the info after you have contacted ATC...

....and you will normally be taking off INTO wind.

 

Have a nice flight,

ATIS.

They are correct about ATIS and waiting for ATC contact - however, if you want some programs to help - my sequence is as follows:

 

Load Weather (I use AS 2012), then build flight plan (FSBuild with AirNav route help), then load the plan into AS 2012 - grab my surface winds from both airports. A program called Topcat will calculate the expected runway based on length and current winds read from AS 2012. This helps me plan / change the SID/STAR to be used. If I change SID/STAR, I can re-generate the flight plan quickly.

 

Sometimes I use Live ATC website and tune to my arrival airport just to hear the active runway being used.

 

All this goes into the FMS - but as in real life - things change - especially winds and conditions. 

Initial planning helps, learning to make quick changes in the FMC is a must.

 

Best of luck

ATIS is the most correct answer, but it really helps to know how and why runways are selected for arrival and departure, especially if there isn't an ATIS and all you have is a METAR.

 

Since you posted in the PMDG Forums, I'll assume you're asking in regards to Commercial IFR Aviation, with the Caveat that information for runway selection for General Aviation can be different.

 

Airfields used for commercial aviation are often planned and built based on numerous factors such as topography, structures, population of the surrounding area; proximity to other airfields and associated traffic patterns, and airways. Though some runways are designed (placed) to minimize the affects of magnetic deviation in the future, this often gives way to the terrain at and surrounding the airfield and the factors previously mentioned. Let's add in obstacles and noise control just to keep things interesting. NOTAMs may also list Runways which are not to be used for Arrival/Departure and will explain why.

 

The airfield's arrival and departure runway selection are often based on where the terminals and taxiways are. Let's assume parallel runways since this is the case at most airports you'll fly a commercial aircraft into. Foregoing simultaneous operations, you'll find that North American airfields will often use runways furthest away from the main terminals for departures, though there are certainly exceptions to this. This is for two reasons. The first is noise control. Engines have to produce larger amounts of thrust for takeoff than landing aircraft which are at minimum power while landing - except for go around which should be minimal). Along with this is arriving aircraft using the runway closest to the terminal as they produce the least amount of noise with engines at low/minimum power accept for the short use of thrust reversers (usually at less power/noise than takeoff would produce) and this also allows them to pull directly off and go straight to the main terminal, thus reducing the number of aircraft of taxiways.

 

Using the web, you can often find normal taxi routes for arriving and departing aircraft at large airports. Most VATSIM websites for airports mimic what takes place in real life operations.<br /><br />3. Now to the aircraft itself. You takeoff into the wind, as this provides addition lift and more effective control surfaces, and avoid tail winds which reduce lift and cause problems with control of the aircraft.

 

Marry the concepts above, and you'll usually pick the correct runway.

 

The above is (of course) a quick (I didn't say "Crash") course in runway selection. In the end, it's up to ATC, no ATC then in the end it's really up to the pilot.

 

It's actually a really big subject, but I hope this helps explain things a little more.

Thanks guys, a lot of answers to

I always check here http://www.plane-mad.com/airport-weather/ before a flight and again when i get cleared to descend.

Even better you can go to http://www.flightradar24.com/ and find out which runway a/c are using.

Not real world but I set up my FMC and call for clearance and push at the same time...sure early...but get the info then...or course this is FSX ATC so my world is real world.

 

Jeff

Hi,

 

There are a variety of methods we use in the airline industry:

 

CPDLC for clearances, from the SID designator you'd be able to work out the runway in use.

 

ATIS,

 

Ask the controller.

 

As someone has pointed out, we generally take off into wind. However, on the Boeing 737-800 the aircraft is certified to take off with 10kts tailwind and even up to 15kts at selected airports, providing performance isn't an issue. On the line we have RTOW figures to aid us with these performance calculations.

 

Hope this helps,

 

James B

Thanks everyone, very helpful info.

Be careful with what you assume with wind.  There are a number of SOPs that treat anything below 5ish knots as calm, and airfields often have a calm configuration that may not make sense to you unless you do some research.

 

As an example:

BWI has four runways, and most of the time only two are used, but it gets even more interesting.

If BWI is in West Operations, departures go out on 28, arrivals on 33L (33R arrivals for props/RJs).

If BWI is in East Operations, departures go out on 15R, arrivals on 10 (15R departures for props/RJs).

4/22 is almost never used.  The last time they used it is when both 10-28 and 15R-33L were both out of service because of repaving at their intersection.

 

10 is not used for departures, 28 is not used for arrivals: idiots and houses (you know the story)

33s are not used for departures, 15s not used for arrivals: idiots and houses

4-22 not used at all: shorter, interrupts all other runways, and is aimed at the city

 

 

 

As for what to use before contacting ATC, you're welcome to use what's in the ATIS, but what's the rush?  In the US, many of the SID/STARs don't require runway selection.  I see you're from Sweden, though, and I know a lot of the procedures over there do.  In that case, toss in your best guess off of the ATIS, and just remember that it may change.

 

If you're flying online, the last thing a controller wants to hear is "...but I already put Runway [such-and-such] in my FMC!!!"  It's not that tough to change.

 

If you're flying online, the last thing a controller wants to hear is "...but I already put Runway [such-and-such] in my FMC!!!"  It's not that tough to change.

 

Yep, takes only a couple seconds and I had to do that numerous times due to ATC changes. 

 

idiots and houses (you know the story)

 

Nice, non-PC way of saying "NIMBY's.  B)