MattPeddlesden

Hi, I'm traditionally a virtual GA pilot - a twin prop is normally about as big as I like to go. However for an event coming up soon I really need to be flying something with a bit more oomph as the leg of the journey is really too long to do in a twin - so i've opted for the Embraer ERJ-145 from FeelThere on Steam. and had my first flight with it last night. Once i'd figured out that my CH Throttle Quadrant was shutting the engines down repeatedly (doh) I started to make better progress and I've got most of the procedures down now for startup, setting up the FMC and so forth, and a few other bits that I didn't get quite right I think I have figured out for my next flight - which leaves one major issue for me and i'm hoping you can help me understand this bit. I set up the FMC - in this case from EGSS to EGNX, a nice short test flight. The flight plan was set up as EGSS RWY 04 via BKY, and then on arrival to EGNX it was via I think PIGOT1J. I set the aircraft AP up to use the FMC, did the taxi to the runway and got takeoff clearance - after roll I ascended to 1000ft and engaged the autopilot. At this point, the FMC just wanted to fly on in the direction of the runway without turning west. What did I miss? I ended up disengaging AP and flying the route manually following ATC Instruction - which was fun, but probably missed the point. How do I ensure that the FMC knows the plan that ATC is going to direct me along? I set the flight plan up using the flight planner in FSX and then added the details in using the method described in the manual for the FMC - but the eventual path that I followed from ATC didn't look anything like the straight line that the flight planner came up with - i'm not looking to fly a straight line, but would be useful if I could validate that it's all working together and not doing two different things some how. I guess the other question I have then is how to deal with alterations that come in from the ATC like change of altitutde, change of course etc - how do I effect those changes in to the FMC? or do I switch to nav and use the heading but to redirect the plane in those cases? Thanks in advance - i'm a jet-newb but have to say I enjoyed the flight once I got in the air so i'm keen to get back in the cockpit and have another go Matt.