I like to fly online via Vatsim and I am trying to do a better job at picking the appropriate routing.  So I have a few questions concerning what is the preferred/correct method for selecting a departure and or arrival procedure and although the title says without ATC I suppose it's applicable with or without ATC available.  I have access to current charts via Navigraph subscription and do my flight planning via Flight Sim Commander (FSC8) and Active Sky Next for Wx reporting.

 

So what I have been doing in now is looking at the conditions (wind) at the departure airport then check airfield notes in Navigraph to see if there is a preferred Ops direction for winds under a given velocity. If I can't find any information that specifies this I select whichever runway is into the current wind conditions.  Under calm conditions I simply depart in the direction relative to my destination (No ATC).

 

When it comes to selecting a SID and Transition route. I usually use FSC and "look at" the SID's for the RWY I am planning to use for departure. In some cases (larger airports) there can be several SID's that route me out of the departure airport in the direction I want to be heading to connect to an airway that will take me toward my destination.  It's at that point that I open those SID's up in Navigraph to see if they are applicable some specify turbojet/ non-turbojet some are RNAV etc. It's then that I pick one that works and if there are still more than one that can be used I just pick it out of personal preference.

 

I basically do the same when selecting a STAR...

1. Identify the runway I plan to use based on conditions.

2. Select a STAR that is applicable for use with that runway

3. Select the transition route for the STAR that is located nearest the airway I plan on using getting into the terminal area.

 

 

So my questions are basically these...

 

1. Is this a reasonable method or is there a better easier way?

2. When there is more than one departure or arrival procedure that is available is it pilots discretion to select which one to use (No ATC active)

3. Is there some place in the airport information that defines preferred departure and arrival routing?

 

Thanks,

Robert

I can only tell you about the real world a little bit.

 

To start there is a difference between Europe and north America. 

 

In Europe you cannot file a SID or STAR, whereas in north america, you can.

 

Therefore, in Europe: you will notice that many different SID's end at the same point, and many STARs start at the same point. So the correct way to file is to file the 1st enroute fix, which is where the SID ends then your flt plan to the last en route fix, where the STAR(s) begin. When u pick up your clearance for departure, ATC will assign runway and SID to the 1st filed fix, and the same is true for the STAR, you will get it in the air by ATC. 

 

In the US or Canada you can file an STAR, and sometimes SID. You can do this when you are certain about winds and your flight is not too long. For long flights you would use the same principle as in Europe and let ATC assign you a STAR, because if the winds change they will do so anyhow. 

 

Lastly, if you fly in Europe, you can usually get pretty easy access to the Aeronautical information manuals of different countries, in which you can find up to date instrument procedure charts. 

 

See this link: http://www.flyingineurope.be/AIS%20-%20CAA.htm

 

If, in example, we would go to the netherlands, and click the 2nd link in the AIS column, you would end up here: 

 

http://www.ais-netherlands.nl

 

From there, click AIS publications, and agree. 

 

In the new pop up, click on integrated aeronautical info package.

 

Now click on the left on Aerodromes > EHAM > charts related to an aerodrome, then on the right select standard arrival chart. 

 

On this chart we can see all the possible STARs to get into EHAM. 

 

If, in example, we were coming from the North East, we would file the flight plan up to EEL (VOR) once we get closer to EHAM, ATC would then give us a STAR into EHAM that would start at the EEL vor. 

 

I hope this helped a bit, but perhaps I made it more confusing....

1.That's reasonable method.

 

2. and 3. I'm not familiar with navigraph charts, but in jeppesen charts, if some SID/STAR is not preferred, it will be noted at that particular SID/STAR chart. For example "BY ATC, NOT TO BE USED FOR FLIGHT PLANNING PURPOSES". You can use any other SID/STAR if you can meet requirements (nav equipment, gradients...). If there is preferred SID/STAR, at jeppesen charts it would be noted at info or airport briefing pages, but I have never seen such a thing (doesn't mean that doesn't exist).