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STAR Selection
http://www.ocs-support.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2849
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Author:  aaschacher [ Fri Apr 06, 2018 7:26 pm ]
Post subject:  STAR Selection

I'm confused as to how the STAR and landing runway are being chosen by PF3. I'll use my previous flight (KATL-KSEA) as an example. When inputting the STAR name into PF3 (in this case it was CHINS3), I alter it so I know which runway I'm being assigned to (so I change CHINS3 to CHINS6R for 16R for example).

As I approach PDT VOR where I transition into the STAR, ATC clears me to fly CHINS4L for runway 34L. As I reach the end of the waypoints in my .PLN file, ATC then clears me to final for runway 16R. This is where I'm confused as to why I was given a STAR for a completely different runway to the one I'm landing on.

I use the ActiveSky Next weather engine, and this situation happens with and without the ATC wind lock activated and approach downloads suppression activated. I understand that without the wind lock, the runway selection can vary. In this flight however, I monitored the wind at KSEA throughout the flight and particularly leading up to the transition into the STAR, and it remained a decent headwind up the 16's so I'm wondering why I was given a STAR for 34L.

Am I missing something that I should be doing?

I've included my logs folder.

Author:  Dan77 [ Sat Apr 07, 2018 2:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: STAR Selection

When you crossed PDT (start of your STAR), this is what the log shows:
Quote:
06/04/2018 18:12:39: 380 - Active Runway determined by PF (Wind) selection
06/04/2018 18:12:39: 380 - Extracting Weather Data from KSEA
06/04/2018 18:12:41: 960 - Visibility from weather station: 51
06/04/2018 18:12:41: 960 - Wind DIR from weather station : 313
06/04/2018 18:12:41: 960 - Active Runway is set to 34 - Left
As you neared the last waypoint of your flight plan the log shows:
Quote:
06/04/2018 18:36:55: 490 - Active Runway determined by PF (Wind) selection
06/04/2018 18:36:55: 490 - Extracting Weather Data from KSEA
06/04/2018 18:36:56: 030 - Visibility from weather station: 51
06/04/2018 18:36:56: 030 - Wind DIR from weather station : 131
06/04/2018 18:36:56: 030 - Active Runway is set to 16 - Right
I don't use Active Sky Next, but the STAR transition in this case is 175 miles from the airport. I found some info that indicates the ATC Wind Lock option allows the wind to be reset when you are 80 nm from the airport, and I think preventing downloads on approach applies only when you are close to the airport. One thing you can try is getting a PF3 ACARS ATIS report (see the User Guide) as you get closer to the airport, to check the conditions. Another thing to try (if you want) is designating a closer waypoint as your start of STAR. In the US and Canada the STAR transitions are in some cases 200 or even 300 miles from the airport.

Author:  aaschacher [ Sun Apr 08, 2018 10:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: STAR Selection

Thank you for your reply, I didn't know the wind changed at all during the flight with that option enabled. I'll try setting a range ring of about 70nm from the destination and get a weather report then

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