When flying IFR in A Space, do I have to fly on the J ways or I can fly GPS direct? Thnx.

You can fly direct as long as you don't fly into any restricted airspace.

Thank you.

Hi,Its actually a little more complicated than that. I'm not sure how in depth you want to simulate your flights, but the AIM provides a wealth of information on the process. Here are some pertinent excerpts:AIM 5-1-8b. Airways and Jet Routes Depiction on Flight Plan1. It is vitally important that the route of flight be accurately and completely described in the flight plan. To simplify definition of the proposed route, and to facilitate ATC, pilots are requested to file via airways or jet routes established for use at the altitude or flight level planned.d. Area Navigation (RNAV)2. Pilots of aircraft equipped with approved area navigation equipment may file for RNAV routes throughout the National Airspace System and may be filed for in accordance with the following procedures. © Plan the random route portion of the flight plan to begin and end over appropriate arrival and departure transition fixes or appropriate navigation aids for the altitude stratum within which the flight will be conducted. The use of normal preferred departure and arrival routes (DP/STAR), where established, is recommended. (d) File route structure transitions to and from the random route portion of the flight. (e) Define the random route by waypoints. File route description waypoints by using degree- distance fixes based on navigational aids which are appropriate for the altitude stratum. (f) File a minimum of one route description waypoint for each ARTCC through whose area the random route will be flown. These waypoints must be located within 200 NM of the preceding center's boundary.(i) Plan the route of flight so as to avoid prohibited and restricted airspace by 3 NM unless permission has been obtained to operate in that airspace and the appropriate ATC facilities are advised.[/i]Regards,Nick

Thank you for the info Nick. As for my flights. I mostly fly GA aircraft at an altitude just below A space. That will give me free of obsticles in the lower 48 states. However, I some times do get into A space (in the mid 20s) just to save fuel. Otherwise, I remain in E space. As far as the simulation is concerned, I do want to do it as real as FS9 permits. My goal (in RL) is to obtain IR license and finally own a plane.

Hi again,From a feature article in AOPA November 2003 regarding direct routes:"The first step for IFR pilots should be savvy flight planning. If you submit an IFR flight plan via the Internet, for example, there are several ways to improve your chances of hearing "cleared as filed" (as opposed to the full route clearance, or FRC) and get a more direct routing: Define any off-airway segments by degree/distance waypoints. Remain in a radar environment (although this isn't absolutely required). Remain within navaid service volume limits, as defined in Paragraph 5-1-7 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (although ATC can sometimes initiate direct routes beyond these). Adhere to obstruction clearance requirements. Avoid regulatory special-use airspace by at least three nautical miles. File published arrival and departure transition fixes and preferred transition routes. File a flight plan with the proper aircraft equipment suffix. File at least one waypoint (less than 200 nautical miles from the previous Center's borders) for each ARTCC through which you plan to fly. (The Center's computer won't take direct flight plans with a destination outside the originating Center's airspace if you don't do this.) "

To fly in Class A airspace you have to be on an IFR flight plan. As some others have pointed out the best way to go about it. If atc clears you direct than you can fly direct however they do not give that request to GA planes often in that airspace. I does depend on the location because if you won't cause the controller any problems they will let you fly direct. I don't believe fs9 atc will give you the ability to go direct to a destination. But If you are using gps (default, reality xp, ect.) Just plug in the waypoints and file IFR and it will solve all of your problems.David

The rules vary between countries, but in the UK VFR flight is prohibited in Class A airspace.