Simviation Forums

I'm trying to figure out how to fly with GPS/AP but I'm getting stuck on the airport identifiers.
When I open the NRST list, I only see the use of identifiers on every point where I can enter or read locations, but I know 4 of those out of my head and to be honest, I cant believe that anyone can get all those codes in his head for direct use.

Is there a way to see and /or enter the nearest airports by name/city? If so, how do I do that?

And more important, since everything works with ID-codes, I of course want to learn how to really work with those, but I cant find how to do that.
Liks Arlanda would be ESSA, I figure that means: Europe, Sweden, Stockholm, Arlanda. So I thought to have figured out how this works, but then Skavsta would become: Europe, Sweden, Stockholm, Skavsta=ESSS. However the identifier for Skavsta is ESKN, which doesnt make any sense at all!

So how do those codes work? How can I find the name of the airport and city in the code and how do I find the code from the name of the city and airport?

I have not seen a list of just the airport names, so I do it like written below or use the ATC window for nearest airports.

First click on NRST button. Next click on the button(lower right hand corner of the Garmin 500) that says Push CRSR, this will highlight the top ICAO Code. To see the actual name of the airport of the first one on the list, click ENT and it will give you the airport page(has airport name and other info). To see the runways and other info(NDB and such) for that airport, scroll through the pages using the arrows on the smaller inside button.

To go back to the nearest airport page click on the right arrow of the outside ring. Now press the CRSR button again to highlight the top code and use the outside ring arrows again to highlight the next airport on list and repeat above instructions. When you find the airport you are looking for, from the airport name page, click the Direct too button(Capital D with arrow through it). A Select D>Waypoint box will pop up, now just click the ENT button twice, than the PROC button to return to the map page or select your approach.

If you already knew this than I hope it it helps someone else. Complete instructions for all the GPS models can be found in the Learning Center of FSX. ICAO code information and their prefixes

Thanks Brett, but yea, I had figured this, but then you see only what's near. But say I want to set up a route to Jyvaskyla, when taking off from Barcelona, or even more, some other airport in Finnland, from which I would know the name even. I know I want to go to, say east Finnland, where I dont know names

Hi,

In the route planner, I'm fairly certain you can add additional navigation points, no reason why you couldn't add another airport lets say for a refueling stop.

From the internal Flight Planner, you can filter the Regions, Countries, etc. for the areas you want to check.

Even easier, simply type in the name of the City you're looking for, then write down the ICAO code for the airport!

And for goodness' sake, open the Learning Center and actually read the very helpful bits of information contained there.