Yesterday I decided to go step further in my 737 NGX and started to use approach plates instead of FSX ATC.

 

GOD! Why I was so stubborn before to use ATC - choosing right STAR on EPKK including a hold on KRW to decrease speed and get myself on final to runway was probably the best experience in my short but active FSX life. Because I am no pro when it comes to Sids and Stars I got a question - when I look at EPKK approach plates I can only see 4 stars (checked Jeppsen) - but fm gives me much more options (airac 1402) - maybe I am doing something wrong or misinterpreting stars but only 2 out of 8 (I think) stars available on fmc are on approach plate.

 

Does it mean that approach plate is old or am I reading it wrong way?

 

Thanks in advance for help!

 

The runway I was getting to is ILS25

Does it mean that approach plate is old or am I reading it wrong way?

When was the last update for your set of plates? It could very well change.

 

I update my AIRAC four times a year. A friend of mine works for a large airline and gives me old plates so I can keep both current (my AIRAC and plates always match).

 

Keep in mind too, that pilots still get vectors most of the time. It's up to the controllers to keep the traffic flowing and they do try to save the crews time if they can.

 

For example, look at a place like LOWW and the plate 10-2F RNAV transition for example, many times they would get a direct to from WW658 to WW650 instead of flying 10 miles out to come 10 miles back in.

 

If they can save time they will get vectors. If it is too busy they can expect to fly the STAR as published.

Oh my.... 

 

The plates are old (4 years old) but that is only ones I found freeware online. Too much money in this sim already. 

 

Anyway - about vectors... I hesitate to go online as I fly mostly Europe, medium length routes so there is no coverage + I really sometimes need to pause the sim for longer time because I have some responsibilities.  

 

Would my best choice be Radar Contact 4.3 than? 

The plates are old (4 years old) but that is only ones I found freeware online

 

Here you can find the very latest official and still freeware charts for all Polish aerodromes: http://www.ais.pata.pl/aip/

Register for free and then go to the AD \ AD 2 folder to choose your airport.

In this case files EP_AD_2_EPKK_5-1-1_en and EP_AD_2_EPKK_5-1-3_en contain current STARs.

Also, when ATC gives you final directions, allot of times you can chose one of the standard FX approaches and request it from ATC. Allot of times these old approaches will be in your FMS system too.

 

Another option is to cancel IFR before ATC sets up your approach (or cancel after), fly the plate u want and contact the tower for clearance (in VMC of course).

Yeah problem is than i cant land non IFR because usually Epkk is foggy and im rejected. Thanks for charts!