OnCourse Software

Thomas,
I'm still confused as to why ATC does not issue correct step down descent instructions in time for capturing approach and ILS.
I had another flight today and followed the flight plan on autopilot NAV, so do not see how I missed any waypoints. However ATC still failed to commence my descent in time, and I had to ignore ATC nags to maintain altitude in order to arrive at my IAF altitude.
I guess I must be doing something wrong. I do seem to always get the warning about waypoints being too close to arrival and/or departure airport and I not sure how to resolve this as my flightplans (including SID/STAR) are created using Simbrief.com. Not sure if this is causing such issues. I also have SID/STAR active in the PF3 options#2 page, and set the end of SID, and start of STAR in the Adjust Altitude... page.

What criteria does PF3 use to determine when to advise descent instructions? This should be based on distance from final destination based on cruise altitude and speed / descent profile, is this not the case?

Can you help me resolve this annoying issue, as although I feel the program has great promise, this untimely or non existent descent instruction from ATC is ruining my FSX experience.

Regards,
Stuart

You will generally get the best results if your last PF3 waypoint is about 25-40 nm out. If you are getting a warning, your last PF3 waypoint is less than 15 nm from the destination airport and this may cause problems. See the following thread for more info:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2149#p12319

OK,
Guess I'll try creating the flight plan in Simbrief without the SID /STAR and then add those via the FMS.
Thanks for the tip.

Stuart

stuarth wrote: *

Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:13 am

OK,
Guess I'll try creating the flight plan in Simbrief without the SID /STAR and then add those via the FMS.
Thanks for the tip.

Stuart

That is generally the best way. Then set up PF3 using the SIDS/STARS page and/or flightplan page so that for departure you will be cleared to fly your SID and ATC will pick you up again when either a certain altitude or waypoint has been reached (you decide which during setup). For STAR arrivals it is best to have your last waypoint in your PF3 flightplan coinciding with the start of the STAR (although not if the STAR starts 100nm away). Then if you have selected "stars active" during setup, you will be cleared to fly your star from that point.