Different FL in flight.

[Andreas Fuchs]

Here in Europe I see these planned changes of cruise levels regularly, but as pointed out by Dace, this is just a plan. During the actual flight, pilots always have to request those level changes to their current ATC unit. In VATSIM you will sometimes be without any ATC, then you can climb/descend as you like.

When I fly virtually, I usually do not file these planned level changes, but simply request them enroute, if required.

[Dace Nicmane]

As for fuel step climbs, I don't file them either simply because I don't plan them in advance but rather rely on my FMC to tell it to me in flight. In other cases where the level change is certain, like today when I'm overflying Chinese airspace, I do like to file them. That way the controller sees that I know the rules and he doesn't have to worry we might not be on the same page.

[Andreas Fuchs]

51 minutes ago, Dace Nicmane said:

That way the controller sees that I know the rules and he doesn't have to worry we might not be on the same page.

One would think so. But I often find pilots filing plans with these level-changes, but either have no clue what it means or why it has to be done.

[Alexander Streumer]

6 hours ago, Torben Andersen said:

At least in some cases the pilots file these fix/altitudes as this is done by the flightplanning software or because of compliance to Eurocontrol validation, where many routes have these restriction and validation fails, if the fix/FL isn't flied in the ATC flightplan. When I plan using PFPX I always (when flying in Europe) validate the flightplan via Eurocontrol. I try to adhere to restriction given to me by the Eurocontrol validation tool - except for "hot" danger areas, which seldom are in effect at VATSIM. It takes time, but also takes the planning to the next level, instead of the blindly use of Simbrief I see these days as controller.

Hi, just squeezing in for a second. 

 

I love keeping it real as goes but unfortunately the FMC of my 747 only fills data fully by using the simbrief importer (say weight and stuff can't be edited manually).

So for me, to comply a little more with euro control, could you perhaps share the name of this tool to check the validation of the flight generated by simbrief?

[Trevor Hannant]

When you're planning your flight in SimBrief, click on this button:

This will open a pop-up with your flight plan in it - copy it and follow the instructions on that tab to validate your plan.

Additionally, you will notice the Eurocontrol logo on the first suggested route at the side - this means that this routing was pre-validated on a previous AIRAC so while it may not be valid now, it won't be far off as a starting point...

Edited January 26, 2022 at 04:54 PM by Trevor Hannant

[Torben Andersen]

As Trevor shows in the screen shot, Simbrief gives you a direct link to Eurocontrol. BUT while Eurocontrol might accept the route you submit, do NOT forget to check if the route you chosen is the most convinient for the flight. Yesterday I had a pilot filing a route from EKCH (Copenhagen) to EGPH (Edinburg), which routed him over the Netherlands(!). He'd just chosen the first one given by Simbrief instead of checking, where the route took him. Simbrief relies on pilot's choice and gives the route most pilots have used. But if pilots allways just choose the first, which shows up, a rather silly route becomes first in the route suggestions given by Simbrief. So use your best judgement and do not simply rely on what others have choosen!!!!

 

[Alexander Streumer]

8 minutes ago, Torben Andersen said:

As Trevor shows in the screen shot, Simbrief gives you a direct link to Eurocontrol. BUT while Eurocontrol might accept the route you submit, do NOT forget to check if the route you chosen is the most convinient for the flight. Yesterday I had a pilot filing a route from EKCH (Copenhagen) to EGPH (Edinburg), which routed him over the Netherlands(!). He'd just chosen the first one given by Simbrief instead of checking, where the route took him. Simbrief relies on pilot's choice and gives the route most pilots have used. But if pilots allways just choose the first, which shows up, a rather silly route becomes first in the route suggestions given by Simbrief. So use your best judgement and do not simply rely on what others have choosen!!!!

 

Thanks for reminding me of that. Luckily for me the FMC in the 747 isn't very reliable in terms of importing the waypoints so in my case I'll always double check on the routing for missing waypoints and because of that also automatically for the efficiency of the routing as well.