OnCourse Software

Hi - over the past few weeks i've taken notice that PF3 no longer vectors me to final and rather tells me that I'm cleared to final after the last nav waypoint (like the "own navigation to final" option but with different language and without asking for it). I'm just wondering if this was a coding change within PF3 or if I did something in my settings that is driving that change.

A set of logs are attached...and I know the runway I was directed to didn't have an instrument approach so it might not be the best example...so I'll have more after my current flight if you need a different log.

Cheers,mike

Here's a second set from Boston (KBOS) to Nantucket (KACK) - same issue - cleared to final (or cleared for the approach...but which approach?) at the last waypoint...and not that it's a big deal but it triggers AT the last waypoint so by the time you get the clearance you are a minute or two past that waypoint you were cleared to descend from.

1 - did I screw something up to stop any vectoring after the final nav waypoint?
2 - (if not) is there a setting to trigger the "approach clearance" prior to the final nav waypoint?

You have the SID and STAR boxes checked at the bottom of the SID/STAR page. This turns off vectoring. If you want vectors these boxes need to be unchecked before you connect PF3 to the sim. See the following thread for more info

viewtopic.php?t=3960

In fact I almost ALWAYS have the STAR box unchecked, in case I want approach vectors. If you start getting approach vectors and then decide 'on the fly' you don't want them, just hit Hotkey 1 to request clearance at pilot's discretion.

OH! I thought that only was used IF/WHEN you actually setup a STAR/SID for that airport...not every time. I used it recently for a departure and that's I guess when I realized that approach vectors were "missing". Thank you for highlighting what I should have already known.

I'd like to jump in here: I believe it used to be possible to configure PF3 for this case - a STAR with vectors in the end.

The flightplan had to of course incorporate the STAR waypoints. One would activate (and name) the procedure, and inform PF3 of the first STAR waypoint. If configured like this, PF3 would announce the STAR at the defined (first) waypoint, let you fly it to the last waypoint in the flightplan, and then it would issue vectors. Very realistic for a lot of US and UK STARs. I noticed a while back this wasn't happening any more.

Maybe I can even find a log...

dtsakiris wrote: *

Tue May 31, 2022 1:03 pm

One would activate (and name) the procedure, and inform PF3 of the first STAR waypoint. If configured like this, PF3 would announce the STAR at the defined (first) waypoint, let you fly it to the last waypoint in the flightplan, and then it would issue vectors. Very realistic for a lot of US and UK STARs. I noticed a while back this wasn't happening any more.

It should work that way. You leave the STARs box UNCHECKED at the bottom of the SID/STAR page. That is what controls PF3's behaviour at the last waypoint. With the box unchecked you should get vectors. You can optionally designate a waypoint (not your last waypoint) as start of STAR on the PF3 flight plan page. If it isn't working maybe there's a bug or something got broken in an update so please submit a log.

Hi Dan, this makes sense, I will try it - thanks.