Hi,

 

I'm traditionally a virtual GA pilot - a twin prop is normally about as big as I like to go.  However for an event coming up soon I really need to be flying something with a bit more oomph as the leg of the journey is really too long to do in a twin - so i've opted for the Embraer ERJ-145 from FeelThere on Steam.  and had my first flight with it last night.

 

Once i'd figured out that my CH Throttle Quadrant was shutting the engines down repeatedly (doh) I started to make better progress and I've got most of the procedures down now for startup, setting up the FMC and so forth, and a few other bits that I didn't get quite right I think I have figured out for my next flight - which leaves one major issue for me and i'm hoping you can help me understand this bit.

 

I set up the FMC - in this case from EGSS to EGNX, a nice short test flight.

 

The flight plan was set up as EGSS RWY 04 via BKY, and then on arrival to EGNX it was via I think PIGOT1J.

 

I set the aircraft AP up to use the FMC, did the taxi to the runway and got takeoff clearance - after roll I ascended to 1000ft and engaged the autopilot.  At this point, the FMC just wanted to fly on in the direction of the runway without turning west.  What did I miss?  I ended up disengaging AP and flying the route manually following ATC Instruction - which was fun, but probably missed the point.

 

How do I ensure that the FMC knows the plan that ATC is going to direct me along?  I set the flight plan up using the flight planner in FSX and then added the details in using the method described in the manual for the FMC - but the eventual path that I followed from ATC didn't look anything like the straight line that the flight planner came up with - i'm not looking to fly a straight line, but would be useful if I could validate that it's all working together and not doing two different things some how.

 

I guess the other question I have then is how to deal with alterations that come in from the ATC like change of altitutde, change of course etc - how do I effect those changes in to the FMC? or do I switch to nav and use the heading but to redirect the plane in those cases?

 

Thanks in advance - i'm a jet-newb but have to say I enjoyed the flight once I got in the air so i'm keen to get back in the cockpit and have another go

 

Matt.

 

For the FMC you need to click on the first waypoint and then when it is in the scratchpad click I think the first LSK and then it activates. This is the same for amendments. Just type it in the scratchpad and click the first LSK. I would recommend to go through the tutorial. All in there.

 

 

I set the aircraft AP up to use the FMC, did the taxi to the runway and got takeoff clearance - after roll I ascended to 1000ft and engaged the autopilot. At this point, the FMC just wanted to fly on in the direction of the runway without turning west. What did I miss? I ended up disengaging AP and flying the route manually following ATC Instruction - which was fun, but probably missed the point.

 

I no longer have the ERJ145 installed and might be getting confused with the Ejets from feelThere (the 175 and 195) but you have to tell the autopilot what to follow. IE: VOR1, VOR2 or the FMC.  Pretty sure the compass rose will have a magenta needle if the FMC is the active source.

 

Is the first waypoint in the flightplan a vector or "manual"? If so you'll need to "direct to" the next waypoint listed.