Hi,
I've never really been satisfied with the way PFE handles STARS. Perhaps someone could enlighten me if I am doing something wrong.
Let's use a sample flight from KPDX (Portland OR) to KSEA (Sea-Tac). Incorporating the Olympia Five Arrival would encompass the following wappoints: KPDX, BTG (VOR), OLM (VOR), ARVAD, FOURT, KSEA. When I set up my initial flight plan for conversion to PF2000 I use the following waypoints: KPDX, BTG, SEA (VOR) and KSEA. SEA is put in there to help PF2000 compile the plan; it will be eliminated when the plan is finished compiling (as are all VOR's within 15 nm, I believe).
After compiling, the flight plan looks like this: KPDX, BTG, KSEA. The starting point of the STAR is actually BTG. I did it this way so that BTG would be the last waypoint before KSEA, and therefore presumably I would be cleared for Papa Tango, the generic STAR name within PFE. Also I checked the "STAR's Active" box in PFE. Having done this, I expected to be receiving a clearance for the STAR and to finals shortly after passing BTG, which would have allowed me to fly the actual STAR route without being harassed by ATC.
Such was not the case; I received several advisories that I was off course, and of course, I was, according to the PFE flight plan. However, I was on course as far as the STAR route was concerned. It wasn't until I had almost reached Olympia VOR (OLM) that I actually received clearance to fly the STAR route and to intercept the ILS for runway 16L.
Ideas, anyone. Thanks in advance.
Tom Murphy