Hi All Just encountered my first ever problem with RC4 I am using the latest version, my problem is this, Route is EGKK2EDDB Rwy 8R using sid CLN5PI get told by control just after crossing DET D5 on my sid that I am off course and need to come to heading, is that a problem then within RC that you can not use long Sids like CLN5P, or is it me as per usual doing something wrong, many thanks love the program.Ronnie

if it is a departure procedure, you are expected to fly less than 2 miles from every checkpoint. if the first checkpoint is too close to the field, you may never make it.the rc display will always show what checkpoint rc is expecting you to be flying towards. you may need to remove the first checkpoint, if it is at the end of the opposite runway, etc.jd

hi thank you for replying sir, I take on board your points there, but as I said I am flying the CLN5P sid so my first checkpoint as per my route is CLN and I just use the sid within my planes FMC to get me that VOR as per procedures on my chart. The CLN Vor is some 60 NM so its quite a long procedure. All my other routes out of EGKK are fine but they use much shorter procedures to get me to my first checkpoint. Thanks for helpingAll the best

i didn't look up the sid. so i'm not sure what was supposed to be done.if the first checkpoint is 60 miles out, there isn't a sid, rc won't think it is a sid, and you are expected to follow tower, departure, and center heading instructions.did clearance say "via departure procedure, and then as filed?did tower give you a heading to fly (runway or specific heading)? or was no heading given (indicates a sid is assumed)jd

hi jd really appreciate your time here helping me on this one, just tried part of the flight again and clearance told me by published departure procedures and I can tell you inside the radar contact box it reads CLN>64M> so its more than 60 miles as you said earlier to where the sid ends. In the program itself I am checking the box no altitude restriction because this sid has specific climb profile, RC lets me get about 15M before DAGGA on the sid then tells me I am off course.

It may be that after a while RC will expect you to start routing towards CLN. The CLN SID off Gatwick is very twisty, and so if you fly for long enough, it will start nagging. Same with the Compton SID's off Stansted. Alot of track miles are flown before actually turning to CPT, similar with the KK CLN's.

When you are switched to a center controller RC no longer assumes you are on a departure procedure but in an enroute climb direct to your next checkpoint. Your FMC route probably has other paths at this point. You need to advance CLN on your LEGS page if not there to the top or it it is at the top double-punch the LSK and EXE to get a direct-to path. Your heading on the LEGS top line should then be equal to the heading RC displays in the status section of the window.For RC departure ends at I believe 40 nm out. That's why your shorter procedures work as you are turned toward your enroute transition point before the RC approach phase ends (I'm guessing).If the SID has waypoints before CLN, include a few closer to the airport as part of your flight plan so the first waypoint is just with forty miles. They can be the same as in your FMC database.

thats what I am thinking, the 40 miles limit for a SID then RC wants you very much on track for that first checkpoint regardless of the procedure, thanks Ron very sound advice there I will use the direct-to on my FMC, thanks guys super super program and thanks for the help.