Am I correct in stating that the STAR must be built into the flight plan BEFORE starting RC. I have tried to add the STAR on a longhaul flight once the weather/runway were correct, but got into trouble with straying off my filed flight plan :-( The STAR started >60nm away from the airport so I had not received the IAP option.If the arrival runway changes during the flight is there a way to amend the RC flightplan en route?CheersRoger

Hi Roger,Up to 40 miles out RC does expect you to fly the plan as filed so, no, the plan cannot be amended enroute. The only option you have is to request direct to one of the later waypoints. It's within 40 miles that we have built in the various options.In a case like this you could enable notams for arrival on the controller options page. Not a very satisfactory solution but at least it would stop you getting into trouble for being on course.I'm assuming that what you'd like to see is the equivalent of the IAP, but available earlier.All the best,John

Hi John,Thanks for that. Yes more than 60 miles out for IAP would help. Answering my own question, perhaps another way would be to build in the STAR in the flightplan for the most common runway and then if necessary change the runway once inside the 40-60 mile IAP range. Most STARS are initially the same for approaches to both ends of the runway.What do you think?Roger

i think that sounds reasonable

>Hi John,>>Thanks for that. Yes more than 60 miles out for IAP would>help. Answering my own question, perhaps another way would be>to build in the STAR in the flightplan for the most common>runway and then if necessary change the runway once inside the>40-60 mile IAP range. Most STARS are initially the same for>approaches to both ends of the runway.>>What do you think?>>RogerRoger, What you have suggested is how I always fly, except I select the STAR based upon my route of flight irregardless of the destination winds. For example: When flying from KIAD to KDEN, depending on enroute winds, the route of flight will bring you NE or SE of KDEN. If arriving from the NE I select the SAYGE5; if arriving from the SE I select the DANDD5. I use FSBuild and create my flight plan with the appropriate STAR included. FWIW: I recently started using www.flightaware.com to get the real world flight plan for the flight I'm planning on flying. Those flight plans do include the STAR.-michaelRC4 Beta Team

Hi Michael,Thanks for your input, I pleased I am poboably on the right track. Flightaware looks interesting, but seems only for US based flights. I am based in the UK.Like you I was considering entering a STAR based on my direction of route e.g. returning to London Gatwick from Germany/Holland I would choose TIMBA1F which has options for both 8R and 26L.I am currently using FSNav for planning, but am seriously considering FSBuild.Thanks again to you all.Roger

you need a better signature. :-) www.jdtllc.com/news.htm has the instructions. i'll tell you how to choose the beta team signature if you email megreat web site, but i fumbled around and never found the flight plansjd

JD,try this URL:http://flightaware.com/analysis/route.rvtJust put the dep and arr airport ICAO codes and you're done.Merry Xmas !

Thanks for the link.

To find the plan you select a departed, enroute, or arrived flight by opening the flight number link. A full screen will open showing the the path image on the right and flight info on the left including the filed plan, flight number, airline, aircraft type, estimated and actual ground speeds, etc. You can also open a flight tracking log from here.Path images for multiple aircraft outside the US may not be complete but it does work for some and the plan info is intact. NAT waypoints are shown as well.

Headed for trouble respect to realism.

Thanks I will give it a try.Roger

Whoops I got the signature link wrong :-(Roger

looking good