A question about flight planning

[visualchaosfx]

Are there any freeware flight planning software that can be used for the FMC on the 747?

[ashaman]

http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/

Freeware and good.

[garymbuska]

http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/

Freeware and good.

Ashaman is right on as usual this is the only site that I am aware of that will allow you to download flight plans into the FS flightplanner. This is a great site it will allow the use of both STARS and SIDS. 8-)

[Conan Edogawa]

Good link!

[visualchaosfx]

http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/

Freeware and good.

Ashaman is right on as usual this is the only site that I am aware of that will allow you to download flight plans into the FS flightplanner. This is a great site it will allow the use of both STARS and SIDS. 8-)

Where do you download them at? Do I have to become a subscriber to that? I'm looking to use these for the PMDG 747. The 747 includes a bunch of flight plans that can be loaded into the FMC but I want to make them myself and use it.

[ashaman]

Well, you got your flight plan using Route Finder and enter it in the FMC by hand, and once it's entered correctly, you can always save it, can you not?

In the end, the program to save a flight plan for the PMDG 747... is the PMDG 747 itself.

At least if you want to remain inside the borders of freeware.

If Route Finder has a service of download of flight plans for the PMDG 747 (I don't really know, look at it for yourself on the home page) and you feel like spending a little money on your hobby, then you can always subscribe.

[visualchaosfx]

Actually I'm starting to get to know the FMC better. I found this tutorial on how to program the darn thing.

http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/fmc.htm

And for some ungodly reason, it was alot easier to follow than the other ones I've read. Go figure. Right now I'm doing a test flight from Detroit Metro to JFK to see if I actually did something right for a change. lol.

The route finder helps out alot. Thank you for the link.

[Zenbyte]

You can try http://www.simroutes.com.  They have most preferred routes used by VATSIM ATC and you can save the plans to a variety of formats.   PMDG is one of them, but for other aircraft you can always save it as FS9 and load manually. Here is a screenshot of a plan using the Helns4 Arrival for KSEA-->KPDX (Portland).  You can see that I selected the PMDG format.

[Zenbyte]

Actually this is a better example of how SimRoutes will make a complex route.  Saves a lot of FMC work if it is compatible!  This KSEA-->KTPA.  The SID is not listed because that is usually the ATC's call and you should have the plates onboard for any departure they give you.  The last entry is the STAR DARBS1 and you should get that plate.  

[visualchaosfx]

Well about 15 minutes ago, I landed my first PMDG 747. I departed from Indianapolis and arrived at Detroit Metro with the help of the FMC. I autolanded too which was really cool. Now I'm gonna have to try out Detroit to O'Hare because the first time I tried it, the FMC was trying to land me on the water lol. 8-)

[Zenbyte]

VisualChaos,
Glad you enjoyed your flight.  Remember that your arrival procedure and approach procedure are not the same thing.  ATC will give you a published approach (usually with vectors) upon completion (or near completion) of your registered Terminal Arrival.  Have all the approach charts for your destination and alternate airports onboard, because you never know just what ATC may give you.  Also, unless you are flying an RNP procedure (none of which will work in FS), "autolanding" is illegal.  You need to learn to fly your approaches "by hand", i.e. without a 3d guidance system, first!

[visualchaosfx]

VisualChaos,
Glad you enjoyed your flight.  Remember that your arrival procedure and approach procedure are not the same thing.  ATC will give you a published approach (usually with vectors) upon completion (or near completion) of your registered Terminal Arrival.  Have all the approach charts for your destination and alternate airports onboard, because you never know just what ATC may give you.  Also, unless you are flying an RNP procedure (none of which will work in FS), "autolanding" is illegal.  You need to learn to fly your approaches "by hand", i.e. without a 3d guidance system, first!

Does the real 747 have the autolanding feature? If I program my flight in the FMC to land at 4R but ATC tells me to land at 21L, I couldn't change that in the FMC, right? I would basically have to manually pilot the aircraft to that runway.

[Conan Edogawa]

Does the real 747 have the autolanding feature?

The new ones have one.

For foggy nights.  :)

[ashaman]

Does the real 747 have the autolanding feature?

The new ones have one.

For foggy nights.  :)

Talking about The Real Thing, the 747 (all versions) have always had the Cat III autolanding.

The simulated ones... those are another story.

[Conan Edogawa]

That's what I meant, ash...^^

But I never use it, because I always land by hand (with or without ILS, but mostly with ILS).