Hello everyone,I have been getting really fascinated by real-world ATC procedures since I've joined VATSIM in December and this has sparked my interest and a dire need for using proper flight-planning software or an OFFLINE ATC simulator (like VOXATC or other) so I can practice precision flying before going online on VATSIM.Here are some of the features I would like from a flightplanner:(1) Ability to MANUALLY TYPE a waypoint name and to find it on a map so that, if I already know the waypoint name from charts and NATs (North Atlantic Tracks for oceanic flights) for example, I don't have to look for it for ever like I do in FS2004 flight planning map which has no search feature.(2) Ability to calculate fuel, know the winds or to accept input of the current weather based on METAR forecasts (such as from VATSIM or from ASV6) and to calculate distances for various possible routes between airports so the shortest and most fuel-efficient route is selected.Finally, I want to mention that I have looked at FS NAVIGATOR, FlightSim Commander, and FSBUILD. But I don't want to install anything which can adversely effect my FS2004 even if it is a trial version so I wanted your input first.Also, as for VOXATC or another real-time ATC simulator package - how is it? I have looked at some of the problems people are having with VOXATC and it seems that it is not quite mature as a product yet but the idea is every pilot's dream. What do you think?Any input would be much appreciated.John

I consider FSNav so much a part of FS9, to me it is not an add-on. Couldn't imagine running without it. No frame rate impact. If you want to find the AVE VOR, just type it in, there it is. Think of it as a moving map sectional and enroute map. It will also show you VATSIM traffic realtime. Also does some flight planning too, and can drive an autopilot with an FMS like interface, useful for simple panels.I use FSBuild for flight planning, super application, but the interface is a little quirky. Once you have the plan done, you can export it to all of your apps and panels with a keystroke. Also allows you to import Active Sky weather data, to get really accurate fuel planning.* Orest-~~~~~~~~~Orest Skrypuchwww.united-virtual.comUAL011 Staff

Hi,FSBuild for your planner as you can get ASv6 winds data and it is a good program.Hope this helps,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.comhttp://sales.hifisim.com/pub-download/asv6...development.jpg http://sales.hifisim.com/pub-download/asv6-banner-proud.jpg

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Worth taking a look at super flight planner. Doesn't interact with FS9 at all, aside from building it's database from FS9 scenery files. Also can output its database in csv format for use in spreadsheets.scott s..

FSBuild without a doubt is a great program for your flight planning needs.Bob

Thank-you so much everyone for your enthusiastic feedback! I'm still continuing to be thrilled and feel priveleged at having such a wonderful flightsim community full of people so eager to help.Looks like FSBUILD is the winner here. It is also recommended by VATSIM Flightplanning forum as a great flightplanner.On a lighter note - just finished a Trans-Atlantic flight from New York JFK to London Heathrow - and my fatigue must have done my concentration no good ... at the final approach, I decided to change runways from 27L to 27R to make for a smoother turn (was doing a South approach via OCKHAM) and... *sigh* forgot to change the runway ILS frequency in my FMC ... there was an AI plane taking off on RWY 27L and *smash*! :-newburn (did an auto-capture of the ILS; actually, if I had flown manual like I used to and never used ILS auto-capture with the LOC/APP buttons, I would have been fine on a visual/manual ILS approach to 27R because I would be the one in control not the computer.)Tried again and got it right ... was way too sleepy for a go-around - oh well. At least my manual landings are great in any case.... Just need to get the FMC setup. Scary for in real-life, computer/human error could be really deadly ==> :-violin Now to sleep - it is 2:06am in Montreal. Looks like some great flight-planning awaits me in the near future thanks to all of you!John