Hi, I can't understand why in RC there is no option to ask for weather deviation during the descent and approach phase, that is when it is most needed, because in that phase the airplane goes through the clouds. Yesterday there was a thunderstorm along the approach route and I had to fly to the middle of it, since I could not ask for a deviation.

James,

 

if you mean inside 40 miles when you're under App control you can request an IAP approach. Once approved you are free to fly whatever heading you wish. If you don't choose that option I can't think of a way around it.

Ray, I thought of asking for an IAP approach but then I will get no more vectors and that is not what I desire. In real life most of the weather deviations are done just inside those 40 miles, when the airplanes are at low altitudes and risk to enter bumpy clouds, I can't understand why in RC that option is not available just where  it should be...

James,

 

The problem is if you ask for vectors inside 40 miles RC has no way of controlling your approach. It doesn't know how far you're going to deviate from the routing it has calculated.

 

I suspect it was considered during the coding but deemed too complicated to implement. Outside Approach airspace RC can cope with deviations from the planned route but not once you are inside it. The alternative, as discussed, is to request an IAP.

You can get vectors and some flexibility within approach airspace for deviation from the commands probably by using the NOTAMS option. Check that out in the manual. Once you are in the airport traffic pattern deviating becomes hazardous though. Be sure you have a TCAS monitoring gauge to spot conflicting ai. For complex terrain you might also find a terrain display and obtain the published charts for you airport.

 

FAA charts I get (free) from flightaware.com and European Union member charts I get from Eurocontrol at:

 

http://ead-website.ead-it.com/publicuser/public/pu/login.jsp

 

where registration is free as are its charts.

 

RC does have a traffic and weather holding option. You need to have a VOR within a short range of the airport. Please check the RC manual for details.

You can get vectors and some flexibility within approach airspace for deviation from the commands probably by using the NOTAMS option. Check that out in the manual.

 

 

Confirmed: NOTAMs combine radar vectors and deviations from course and altitude.