I spent some time this evening searching through the PMDG NGX Support forum and I was unable to find any PMDG advice that said not to import flight plans.  It may be there, I just didn't find it. If someone knows where the PMDG advice is not to do this, would you please post the link?

 

Fuel can't be imported (without screwing things up), as it must be changed via the CDU/FMC.

 

I've imported a few hundred real world routes for the NGX via Vroute and SimRoutes without the slightest problem.  One should never import SIDs/STARs, or add the SID/STAR waypoints to the actual flight plan, for what should be obvious reasons.

 

Simroutes is free to use, and Vroute Premium is about $15 and well worth the cost. Vroute does most payware aircraft. Google is your friend here.

 

 

Anyway, it's a snap, completely reliable, and a great time saver and is great with preventing errors due to typos.

 

 

 

Dave

I cant find it either Dave but I know its here somewhere - search function is terrible sorry Tom 

This may be what you're thinking of. It's from Page 112 of the PMDG737NGX Introduction and Use ( Dated 2/20/12 issued with SP1c).

 

"External route export programs: As of update SP1b, flightplan .rte files
created with external flight planning programs or websites will have the
runways, SIDs, STARs and approaches contained within them stripped
when importing into the FMC, resulting in just the enroute portion being
entered. Routes saved with the FMC itself will still retain these items.

This was done because these programs in many cases were inserting
nonsensical terminal procedure data that would either crash the FMC or
cause general weirdness in the route. In addition, COROUTES do not
contain runways and terminal procedures in real life because they often
change with the prevailing winds and the day’s departure routing. The
runways, SIDs, STARs and approaches are manually entered by the
crew when assigned by ATC even if a COROUTE was used for the
enroute portion of the flight."

 

I happened to read this yesterday while looking for something else. Had discovered that starting with at least AIRAC Cycle 1302, the LLZ26 approach to LOWI as described in Tutorial #2  and included in AIRAC 1207, has changed.  Although the approach itself follows the same track, the waypoints are different.

 

Life's little challenges... :huh:  

 

 

"External route export programs: As of update SP1b, flightplan .rte files
created with external flight planning programs or websites will have the
runways, SIDs, STARs and approaches contained within them stripped
when importing into the FMC, resulting in just the enroute portion being
entered. Routes saved with the FMC itself will still retain these items.
This was done because these programs in many cases were inserting
nonsensical terminal procedure data that would either crash the FMC or
cause general weirdness in the route. In addition, COROUTES do not
contain runways and terminal procedures in real life because they often
change with the prevailing winds and the day’s departure routing. The
runways, SIDs, STARs and approaches are manually entered by the
crew when assigned by ATC even if a COROUTE was used for the
enroute portion of the flight

 

Interesting. Thanks Claude F

It works sometimes not all of the time.

 

It works all the time for me.

 

Iain Smith

 

 

 

However the next BROUSE button is in line 22 and therefore I can't change the PMDG path to what I assume would be correct

 

C\ Bootcamp

 

Programs files (X86)

 

Microsoft Games

 

Microsoft Flight Simulator

 

PMDG

 

Flight Plans

 

You don't have to input the path to the PMDG folder, only to your main FSX folder. When in that options area go down to the "Settings" tab. On the left side of the window scroll down past the "build" section to the "export to" section. You will see a list of applications including PMDG737NG. Tick the box next to that and you're set.

 

Iain Smith

Good find Claude - I am thinking more about a post where I think Tabs mentioned something similar but not sure.

have you tried to save a session and reload it?

I haven't tried that yet.

I would hold off on fsbuild if I was you and wait for PFPX....

 

 

This may be what you're thinking of.

 

 

Thanks, but that's not it, and frankly speaking I don't think it exists.  Going over this and looks at PMDG recommendations, i think Richard may have been thinking of the case where SP1A flight plans saved via the CDU/FMC were not compatible with SP1C.  I'm guessing of course, but that's my best guess.

 

 

Here's the real deal on all of this.

 

 

As we know, SIDs and STARs are nothing more than way points, some with speed and altitude restrictions. When one uses software which exports SIDs and STARs with a flight plan, what is really happening is that the way points for those SIDs and STARs are being imported.  You can do that, even with the NGX, Level-D, or any other aircraft with an FMC - so long as you are using the same AIRAC cycle (so the way points will be there).  But as already noted, it creates double way points if you also select the SID/STAR via the FMC - and it's behaving correctly when it does because it's simply doing what you told it to do as selecting a SID/STAR is really just saying "add this group of way points". If you've already imported them, then of course you'll get double entries.

 

Another problem with importing way points is the flight planning software and the aircraft's FMC must have the same AIRAC. If it doesn't, and you import a way point that doesn't exist in the data base, then you'll likely have an error that shuts down the sim or has other unwanted results. This is one reason why this is a VERY bad idea.

 

The second reason is that it's not realistic. Let's remember that SIDs/STARs are Runway Dependent for 90+% of European airports and some airports in the U.S., particularly the ones that have RNAV SID/STAR legs. Since they're dependent on the Runway, and since there is really no way of knowing for sure what runway you'll be arriving on (sometimes departing on), there simply in no correct way to identify the SID/STAR you'll use.  Thus importing it is not only realistic, it can cause problems or a significant amount of extra work when you need it most, just before the departure or arrival.

 

I've programmed a variety of FMCs for years, so entering a bevy of way points is nothing more than a drill for me. As such, I usually use Flightaware and Simroutes to import a real world flight plan for PMDG aircraft, WITHOUT the SIDs and STARs (of course).

 

The real world way of doing this is to brief the EXPECTED SID/STAR so that you'll prepared for it, but it can and does change often given that the arrival runway can and often does change. That's what is so nice about having an FMC, you can make and verify changes very quickly. You still can't do without the chart, even real world pilots are required to verify their flight plans.  Using AIRNAV for the US and EADs for Europe before and during your flight will become second nature very quickly once you start using them.

 

Here's something you may REALLY LIKE.  There is a little freeware program called "Deskpins" (let me know if you can't find it online and i'll upload it).  Deskpins is terrific, and here's why. It's unrealistic to think that someone should have to print out a dozen or so charts for each flight (plus not very PC these days), and not everyone has an extra monitor to bring up and review charts on.  Deskpins allows you to make any open window (including web browsers, PDF file, etc) as the top most window, so you can have a chart (or flight planning software) up on top of flight simulator, resize the window to your likely, and review one chart or a host of them - all without interfering with your flight or even the view of your flight.

 

Of course there are a thousand "what if's" one can throw at this topic, but in truth they're simply not relevant.  It only takes a minute (two if you're first getting started) to enter a SID/STAR and verify the way points and speed/altitude restrictions.

 

Hopefully this will address all the questions, but please feel free to PM me if you'd like.

 

 

Take care all.

 

 

 

Dave