OnCourse Software

Hello Sirs

I was flying tonight from LPCS to LPPT, and had several issues:
1 - Ground at LPCS (121.82) took to long to assign departure runway;
2 - When finally departed, I was assigned Lisbon Control at 132.50, control gave transponder code xyzu and then suddenly, control services terminated transponder code 7000 (this happened at least 2 times)
3- Contacted 133.90 (Lisbon control) frequency displayed by "pf3 display", and the same thing
4 - When I had airport in sight, contacted LPPT tower at 119.55, and obtain landing clearance for runway 17 (I've both runway 17 and 35 closed on rwn usage options 

Thanks

Carlos

1. We use two different methods to determine the taxi path to/from the runway... the first, which is very quick uses Lat/Lon co-ordinates for taxiways but can sometimes hit a hurdle... which is what happen in your case. If we have a problem finding the taxi route with the first routine we then use our second method which, unfortunately, is much slower but more robust and always (famous last words) seems to find a route. So yes, your taxi instructions took a little longer than one would expect. The first attempt realised there was an error (probably in the AFCAD file) and reported in 8 seconds. The next routine subsequently took 2 minutes 12 seconds to complete. Not much we can do about that unfortunately.

2. You weren't handed off to Lisbon Control you were handed off to Approach. Your flight plan was so short (only 22 miles) with only the one waypoint so you were basically handed off to Approach shortly after takeoff and before reach your cruise altitude. I would suggest for a flight such as this you maybe use the VFR FF option or change the flight plan accordingly. I will certainly see if I can make any changes to cater for such a situation going forward.

3. You wouldn't be able to contact Lisbon Control whilst flying VRF... you would have to change to IFR. All VFR flights in PF3 and below Control Center altitude.

4. I'm afraid by this stage there were many things amiss and as far as PF3 was concerned you had not completed a handoff.

Please retry with a slightly longer flight plan or try this one again as VFR FF and listen carefully to ATC instructions. You could initially turn on your VCP mode until you are more conversant with how everything works as there's a lot to do when having to perform all the tasks your self on such a short trip.

Thank you. Will try the same VFR flightplan, but with free flight