I already know the answer, but WOULDN'T IT BE NEAT IF...we could engage RC4 in the cruise so we could just get the let-down and approach? Bypass all the "gotta be there" hassle en route... yeah, that would be neat...

You can as I recall. You must be using an aircraft that has a default type FS interface so its state can be resumed.You can save a flight with an assigned key (see the RC key definitions) which will create an ".rcd" file that will be placed in the same folder with your FS flight saves I think. You can then load this file into RC.I've never used it but it does work with FS9 at least and pretty sure in FSX. Beta testers have an autosave periodic setting so we can send the necessary files to jd for recreating a flight in progress for troubleshooting.Check out the manual on this. It is included just for the purpose you state. Look at the keyboard assignments and adjust if necessary to avoid conflict.Edit: If I misunderstood your request I appologize. To get all together, you need to do a full flight just once and then save the state at your desired point in progress for future starts. Plan a full short flight that brings you to the area of practice and save it. I would not use time acceleration to get there.

i thought he wanted us to lose the crossing restriction. that won't be disappearing.jd

No point in doing an approach without a crossing restriction :) .Managing aircraft speed and rate of descent is part of the job!For the OP search for the three-in-one rule.

Okay, thanks. Good info. I'm talking about implementing it enroute, say 150nm from destination, so nothing associated with the approach is bypassed. The loading of a saved rcd implies that the flight has to be done at least once in its entirety, which may be doable, though I really fly plans based on whim and weather, not normally repeating previous flights. But that's good to know, so thanks.