Clement Derisbourg 1398018 Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:29 PM Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:29 PM Hello everyone, How are you ? I used the vatsim network for the second time today and I traveled from Dublin to Edinburgh I was kind of happy at the beginning because I successfully requested clearance , taxi and took off without troubles but then the issue started, I had a ATC at Dublin but then had to fly on my own without the ATC's help for the rest of my flight. (122. The thing is I felt pretty lost on my own I followed my route with my GPS and stuff but I did not know when was the best to start my descent use my HDG properly etc ... I tried to contact the ground towers around me but they told me that I was not in their areas so ... So I pretty much screwed up my landing being honest so I guess I could still fly in ILS on my own, but I was wondering if some of you got some tips or something when no ATC around ? I use the Vatsim network and vpilot. I hope this comment won't bother you and I'll be waiting for your responses Have a good weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clement Derisbourg 1398018 Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:39 PM Author Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:39 PM Hello again, I also was wondering if you guys should know a good website where I could get some maps from airports, as I feel a bit lost during taxis. Thanks Clement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Shearman Jr Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:45 PM Posted July 16, 2017 at 03:45 PM It sounds like the main question you have is when you should start your descent, when there's no controller online to give the instruction. If you are following a STAR, the chart should have either guidance or firm altitude restrictions that you should use to gauge where you should start your descent. If it doesn't, you can figure out your remaining distance to the first point on your Instrument Approach Procedure, versus the altitude you need to be at that point. In either case, if your aircraft FMC does not calculate top of descent based on those parameters, you can use a general guideline of 4 nautical miles for every 1000ft of altitude you need to lose, and that should give you a nice conservative estimate as to where to start your descent. As for obtaining charts, it sounds from your original post as though you fly in Europe, in which case I would say to look on the websites of the VATSIM Divisions and Regions that provide virtual Air Traffic Control service there. In the US, all FAA charts are publicly available, so we don't have to do as much digging. Hope that helps! Cheers, -R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clement Derisbourg 1398018 Posted July 16, 2017 at 05:51 PM Author Posted July 16, 2017 at 05:51 PM It sounds like the main question you have is when you should start your descent, when there's no controller online to give the instruction. If you are following a STAR, the chart should have either guidance or firm altitude restrictions that you should use to gauge where you should start your descent. If it doesn't, you can figure out your remaining distance to the first point on your Instrument Approach Procedure, versus the altitude you need to be at that point. In either case, if your aircraft FMC does not calculate top of descent based on those parameters, you can use a general guideline of 4 nautical miles for every 1000ft of altitude you need to lose, and that should give you a nice conservative estimate as to where to start your descent. As for obtaining charts, it sounds from your original post as though you fly in Europe, in which case I would say to look on the websites of the VATSIM Divisions and Regions that provide virtual Air Traffic Control service there. In the US, all FAA charts are publicly available, so we don't have to do as much digging. Hope that helps! Hi Rob thanks a lot for your help. Regards Clement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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