Yes, TXHills is correct. If the winds are 3 knots or less then the airport will have a "calm wind operations" runway(s). At Tampa if the wind is 3 knots or less the active RWY will be 01L and 01R even if the wind is 180 at 2.

Is there any tool that will tell you the active runway at your destination, so that you can start planning your arrival, without waiting to get into ATIS range?

 

Thanks

As your using ActiveSky, you might be able to tune your radio into the ATIS at your dsestination simply by setting the frequency to 122.02

This works in AS2012 (Its in the user manual), but not sure about ASE

 

You can also decode the METAR for Europe using this:

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/Aviation/METAR.htm

As your using ActiveSky, you might be able to tune your radio into the ATIS at your dsestination simply by setting the frequency to 122.02

This works in AS2012 (Its in the user manual), but not sure about ASE

 

You can also decode the METAR for Europe using this:

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/Aviation/METAR.htm

Now, I know how to discover the runway directions in use, but is there any way of determining the preferred runways in use? For example at CYVR aircraft never use 26R for takeoff, though in the sim AI are often vectored to that runway. Is it simply a matter of the longest runway for takeoff, or is there more to it? I guess the AFCAD could give insight, though still... Any help is greatly appreciated!

It all depends on the AFCAD. Assigning takeoff and landing runways especially ones in parallel like CYVR.  KLAX is another perfect example. 

 

The problem is figuring out which runway the airport is using for active when winds are "calm" condition. Looking online in real world like flightradar 24 might not be the same as the sim airport. 

It all depends on the AFCAD. Assigning takeoff and landing runways especially ones in parallel like CYVR.  KLAX is another perfect example. 

 

The problem is figuring out which runway the airport is using for active when winds are "calm" condition. Looking online in real world like flightradar 24 might not be the same as the sim airport. 

So just open it up with ADE (or a program alike to it) and check the preferred arrival/departure runways?

So just open it up with ADE (or a program alike to it) and check the preferred arrival/departure runways?

Yes. Just designate it as a landing runway and another parallel as a takeoff.