Newbe question here...I just passed SNS VOR and receive a delay vectors hold from ATC. I don't understand the instructions. I think they said something like:proceed direct SNS (not sure that was all that was said)turn to 135 (this reversed my course)(and then a phrase or two I didn't understand at all - somewhat garbled on ATCs part - I don't think an EFC was included)I was going 300knots and just passed SNS. A turn to 135 put me several miles off to the east and headed back againest my route of flight. I didn't here from ATC for a long time. I was 40 miles south and figured they wanted me to cross SNS. I turned to do that and was scolded to return to 135. I went 60 miles south of SNS and canceled IFR. 1) What do you suppose the full instructions were and what was I supposed to do?2) How long to I hold 135 before I consider lost comm an issue (no EFC was issued)?3) Is there anything I can do to get ATC's attention short of declaring low fuel?

what did your .pln look like? i'm guessing there was no vor/ndb/checkpoint anywhere near the arrival airport. right?copy the contents of the .pln, and paste it here. let's take a look at it. what planner did you use?holding and delay vectors are covered in one of the tutorials. i don't know which one.jd

The plan was developed use FS9:[flightplan]AppVersion=9.1.40901title=KLAX to KOAKdescription=KLAX, KOAKtype=IFRroutetype=3cruising_altitude=24000departure_id=KLAX, N33* 56.15', W118* 25.13', +000125.99departure_position=7Ldestination_id=KOAK, N37* 42.11', W122* 12.88', +000005.99departure_name=Los Angeles Intldestination_name=Metro Oakland Intlwaypoint.0=, KLAX, , KLAX, A, N33* 56.15', W118* 25.13', +000125.99, waypoint.1=K2, RZS, , RZS, V, N34* 30.57', W119* 46.26', +000000.00, J88waypoint.2=K2, CEANO, , CEANO, I, N35* 22.17', W120* 29.27', +000000.00, J88waypoint.3=K2, ROBIE, , ROBIE, I, N35* 58.89', W121* 0.57', +000000.00, J88waypoint.4=K2, SNS, , SNS, V, N36* 39.83', W121* 36.19', +000000.00, J88waypoint.5=, KOAK, , KOAK, A, N37* 42.11', W122* 12.88', +000005.99, You are correct there are no waypoints between SNS and the airport. Not sure why that would make a difference however.

is there a vor on or near KOAK?why not add that to the .pln, and see what your experience is.we've always said, place a checkpoint at or near the arrival airport for better handling.jd

>we've always said, place a checkpoint at or near the arrival>airport for better handling.I would think KOAK would count as a waypoint...Speaking of close in... Is there a rhyme or reason to the naming of the SIDS and STARS? That is can I tell by the name if it is a SID or STAR and prehaps what quandrent it services? If not is the a DB of the SID/STARS and the transition points they contain?Any other way other than opening the files to know which SID/STAR is applicable?TIA

>>>we've always said, place a checkpoint at or near the arrival>>airport for better handling.>>I would think KOAK would count as a waypoint...it counts as an arrival airport. if you want to use the airport as the last checkpoint, you'll have to modify the flight plan and include it as a checkpoint. and if you go to that bother, make the VOR the last checkpoint, and then i can hold you :-)>>Speaking of close in... Is there a rhyme or reason to the>naming of the SIDS and STARS? That is can I tell by the name>if it is a SID or STAR and prehaps what quandrent it services?not that i can tell>>>If not is the a DB of the SID/STARS and the transition points>they contain?i think navdata has oneand some flight planners like fsbuild has them built into the planner>>Any other way other than opening the files to know which>SID/STAR is applicable?>>TIA>