Help regarding Center controllers and runways

[Fergus Muir 1484107]

Hi

I new to VATSIM and have a couple questions.

 

1. If during a flight that leaves from an uncontrolled airport but means you at some point will fly into controlled airspace do you need to contact the controller and if so when and what is the correct thing to say

 

2. How do you find out the active landing runway at your destination airport when programming the FMC.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm new to all this and want to fill some gaps in my learning.

[Robert Shearman Jr]

1. Their callsign, your callsign, your position, your altitude.

 

2. You can make your best guess based on wind / weather / current ATIS (if available), but your specific approach [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignment isn't made until you're handed off from the Center controller to the Approach controller at your destination. So feel free to take a stab at it but be ready to change it once you're descending. If you're flying with a default FSX aircraft, a freeware add-on FMC which allows you to edit the route in flight is *highly* recommended.

[Fergus Muir 1484107]

Thanks! How do know when you have entered controlled airspace when previously being on Unicom?

[Trevor Hannant]

Generally speaking, the controller will send you a private "contact me" message before/as you're getting to their airspace. However there are a few mapping tools out there that will show the controllers who are online (VATSpy etc) and you can proactively contact them as you get closer to them. Note though that some of these tools don't fully reflect an accurate map of individual sectors (UK, Germany are notable issues).

[Fergus Muir 1484107]

Thanks for being so helpful. Last question! How do you know what SID and STARS to use?

[Robert Shearman Jr]

In the US it's just a matter of choosing one [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ociated with the direction of travel you're arriving from -- then check to ensure it's consistent with your aircraft type (ie not "turbojet aircraft only" if you're in a prop, or whatever). There are SOME airports in the US where the STAR is runway-config-specific but its usually noted on the chart which corresponding arrival you should use instead if the field's landing in the opposite direction.

 

In ICAO land, the STAR corresponds both with the waypoint you're arriving into the terminal area from, and the runway you're using to arrive. You can usually scroll through the various arrival charts and find the one that links your last planned route point with your chosen runway.

[Torben Andersen]

In ICAO land, the STAR corresponds both with the waypoint you're arriving into the terminal area from, and the runway you're using to arrive. You can usually scroll through the various arrival charts and find the one that links your last planned route point with your chosen runway.

 

Alas this is not entirely true - e.g. the UK use STARs, which are not [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ociated to a specific runway. Have a look at London Gatwick (EGKK) stars as example. Perhaps it is an "anglo-specific" way of doing things

But Robert is right - in many countries in Europe, the STARs are runway specific.