When I am flying and just using basic fsx atc. When I get close to the airport click on the nearest airport list and choose my airport and they give me the runway to use. Do I then go into my fmc and choose the runway and approach? Am I gonna have enough time to choose the runway and approach by the time I get really close to the airport?

I have never used fsx atc i use PFE

 

I tune ATIS 200nm out and that still gives me plenty time in cruise to prep my approach and any changes during descend will be adjusted and navigraph charts updated if the arrival rwy changes.

 

Happened to me last night. PFPX gave me Runway 10 during flight planning but i use ASN and winds can change which it did to runway 16 at Dublin airport. I found out it changed when i tuned ATIS i just input the runway and star into the FMC plus transition as i chose not to get vectored.

When I am flying and just using basic fsx atc. When I get close to the airport click on the nearest airport list and choose my airport and they give me the runway to use. Do I then go into my fmc and choose the runway and approach? Am I gonna have enough time to choose the runway and approach by the time I get really close to the airport?

I'd say plan ahead. You can selected the app while you're programming the box at the gate for departure, if you like. I fly some short sectors and we'll even brief the approach on the ground. If you're new to the game, try to get as much done as early as you can so when something unexpected comes up you can give it your full attention. Later, you get more of a feel of how to pace yourself.

Check out this

 

Boeing 737NG Sim Training Syllabus by mike ray

 

Helped me alot

Also

 

http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/257481-boeing-737-ryanair-cockpit-companion-bill-bulfer.html

 

 

Real pilots are using these links too

If I have a choice of several different approaches and I'm not certain which one we will get I will put in the one that's closest to a straight-in approach from whatever direction we are arriving from.  That way if I end up getting a different approach I have more time to get the box set up.  On most routes you will have a pretty good idea which approach you are going to get and put it in when I am setting up the box during preflight.

You usually get your approach assigned by the first controller in the TRACON.  In other words, the first guy (or gal) you call "Approach" in their callsign is usually the one who will give you an approach.  That's usually about half-way though your descent.

Thanks a ton. But the default atc won't give me a star. So I could just use a Flightaware approach then select the runway they give me

Thanks a ton. But the default atc won't give me a star. So I could just use a Flightaware approach then select the runway they give me

 

Being on a STAR or not being on a STAR is irrelevant.  An approach is different from your STAR.  Even the default ATC will tell you what approach to expect.

 

I don't usually file or get STARs assigned when I fly a Cessna into IAD (RW), but I'll still get an approach assignment.

I would really recommend people use LiveATC + Flightradar24 to track a flight, especially in the terminal area. You'll hear when pilots get informed of the runway in use (cause even if they know the winds, the airport might have more than one runway on that direction, some landing, some departing). You'll also hear how sometimes they ask for the approach they wanted and get it, or sometimes, get turned down. Also, you'll really understand what the vectors portion of a STAR is all about. It's a real eye opener.