ATC question from a newbie

[nelson1805]

Hi all...
Just curious about something.

[BAW0343]

FSX ATC is no way comparable to real life ATC. I think of it as a glorified flight watch. The reason you get so many deviations is they give you a heading then for some reason the heading ATC gives wont keep you on track (be it wind or something else I don't know.) So you drift off course so the multiple deviations is the ATC getting you back on track. Its just a weird glitch of FSX.

Using the C172 to practice is a great choice as, I just wish more people would do that rather then jump straight into a 747 .

IFR is generally only used when weather is foul and you cant see landmarks or if your flying above FL180 (in the US anyway.)  There really aren't any rules as to when you can or cant fly IFR but if there isn't a need caused by weather or if you want to do some training in IFR then why put extra stress on ATC? Even if they aren't real 

And to save the aircraft "Cold and Dark" set up the aircraft with all systems off and save the flight and check the box to save it as the default flight. To start in a gate choose the starting position when you pick the airport. The drop down menu should be in the lower right corner when you select the airport to start from.

[nelson1805]

That's great!!

Many thanks for the reply.  Much appreciated.

[BFMF]

As far as General Aviation is concerned, he's right, you don't have to file an IFR flightplan unless the weather is below minimums. I'm not sure exactly what the regs are for larger aircraft or commercial flights, but you won't find too many boeing 737's flying without an IFR flightplan...


As for the cold and dark aircraft. Whenever I'm done with a flight, I shut the aircraft systems all down, and save it. When I want to fly again, I load that flight and start where I left off. I go months without going through the 'create a new flight' 'wizard'...

[Ghostrider114]

one way I've found to avoid these redirects, is to cheat a bit and fly by GPS, by default, if you file a flightplan it will display in the GPS anyway, just follow the green line, and you'll be alright, ofcourse my biggest issue seems to be fuel consumption, but that might have something to do with my tendency to firewall it and fly at mach 1.5 the whole way.

[BFMF]

[quote]one way I've found to avoid these redirects, is to cheat a bit and fly by GPS, by default, if you file a flightplan it will display in the GPS anyway, just follow the green line, and you'll be alright, ofcourse my biggest issue seems to be fuel consumption, but that might have something to do with my tendency to firewall it and fly at mach 1.5 the whole way.

[BAW0343]

[quote][quote]one way I've found to avoid these redirects, is to cheat a bit and fly by GPS, by default, if you file a flightplan it will display in the GPS anyway, just follow the green line, and you'll be alright, ofcourse my biggest issue seems to be fuel consumption, but that might have something to do with my tendency to firewall it and fly at mach 1.5 the whole way.

[flaminghotsauce]

All that said, if you want to fly IFR, go ahead. It's good practice to fly IFR even in good weather. You get used to using the system, and flying to their tighter specs, then when you do get into IFR weather, it's no biggie to just continue on normally.

My criteria: If I just want to wander, sightsee, practice sectional navigation, or test out a new airplane, VFR. If I want to really go somewhere IFR.

I like flying IFR even if ATC is wonky. I do it regularly as a GA flyer. I don't fly jets.

[DaveSims]

All commercial and charter flights must be under IFR flight plans.  GA aircraft is optional as long as the weather if VFR.  However most pilots I know that are instrument rated prefer to file IFR instead of flying VFR if they are leaving the pattern.  They say it is just easier having ATC watching them and telling them where to go.  Helps keep you out of trouble as well, in case any restricted areas pop up.

[BFMF]

[quote]However most pilots I know that are instrument rated prefer to file IFR instead of flying VFR if they are leaving the pattern.

[flaminghotsauce]

[quote][quote]However most pilots I know that are instrument rated prefer to file IFR instead of flying VFR if they are leaving the pattern.

[logjam]

All good comments, but to refer to the original post regarding Chilliwack,BC. There is no GPS approach loaded in FS for that airport. However, I fly it regularly with numerous light aircraft and practise using IFR double checking with local charts. ATC does in fact vector around obstacles such as mountainous terrain and in the case of CYHE, Sumas mountain and Chilliwack mountain. Also there are no fly zones at the many correctional facilities in the area.The flight path flying direct GPS from Penticton would take you above FL100 anyway to clear the North Cascades, so you would most likely want 8000' on your SW course, routing via Keremeos, Princeton and Hope. Your IFR vectors to RW 25 would keep you clear of Agassiz and the military base near Cultus lake. Alternatively, an approach to RW7  may vector you around the Radio towers on Chilliwack mountain. To avoid this, fly to CYCW and close your IFR flight plan, then fly down the Fraser valley until you are visual with the Vasi's. Chilliwack is only 32' asl, so you will have to drop 5500' from Hope to make your approach work. Best of luck.

[razbdaz]

As was previously mentioned FS ATC is not the real world but it sure comes close enough for many of us. If your flying Commercial you would use IFR flight plans to enhance the realism, but that choice is yours in FS. As to strange vectors and multitiple directional changes, thats been a MSFS issue for many years. Just keep an open mind at what your actually doing and enjoy the time spent. If you want IFR challenges then try flying in the Alps and be vectored