by Nav » Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:24 am
I've done a fair few RW trips - in fact I usually find myself trying it with every aeroplane I download!
My advice to anyone trying it for the first time is to 'keep it simple' and aim for quick results first time, by using an aeroplane with a decent range, flying long legs, and using only proper airports with ILS etc. I think I used the Learjet first time (in FS2002). That way you get the first one done, after which you can plan more complex trips; I've heard from lots of people who planned long involved trips first off, but lost heart and never finished them.
Cspyro21, your route looks pretty good and you shouldn't miss Australia. Maybe come south from Japan via the Phillippines and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, though? And, generally, maybe plan fewer stops at first - leave something for next time?
I moved on from the Lear to go RW in all sorts of things, including the DC3, the default Cessna 182, and even a P51 Mustang.
The key 'variable' is probably range. With a range of 2,000 miles plus, you can go pretty well any route, including straight across the Pacific (even the South Pacific). If the range is only say 1,500nms., you have to plan your route carefully - for instance, you can't go straight from Australia to the USA because the leg from Honolulu to SFO is 2,000 miles with no alternates. Instead you have to track north-about, get to Japan, and then follow along the Aleutian Chain to Anchorage, Alaska. Same as you usually have to go via Gander and Keflavik crossing the Atlantic (although via Bermuda and the Azores works as well).
About weather, 'real weather' adds to the challenge. But, to simplify things and limit your downloads, you might consider just downloading 'static' weather at the start of each leg; I've found that downloading updates every 15 minutes doesn't make a lot of difference.
A couple of rules I make myself obey. First, at every stop, taxi in and park, and start the next leg from there. Second, no 'second chances' - if you pile up, start again from the beginning (pleased to say that hasn't happened to me yet!).