Hello, a relative newbie here...

I've been using FSX for a few months now, and I've been flying VFR using multiple waypoints (IFR got on my nerves with all the zig-zagging)..my question to you actual licensed pilots is: is there a criteria for selecting a waypoint? are there restrictions on some of them? (speed, altitude) please enlighten me..

Thats a good question.

In real life aircraft will navigate by GPS or they will use VOR High Altitude Airways called Jet Routes, or they may use low altitude airways called Victor Routes.

as for restrictions, many of these routes from VOR to VOR will have minimum en route altitudes, Maximum authorized altitudes, and intersections or VORs may have minimum crossing altitudes.

occasionally you can see speed restrictions, but sometimes ATC will waive the restriction when it is not busy... you mostly see restrictions of this sort on arrival procedures.

depending on the length of the journey, work load of the controller, and other factors, you can use GPS direct for IFR or VFR navigation.

VFR navigation, for the most part is always going to be GPS direct in MSFS.

IFR Navigation, for a realistic experience, should zig zag to some extent, but the thing MSFS does not simulate is "short cuts".

heres what i mean: usually, as you get en route in real life you might have a route segment that takes you a little out of the way... workload permitting and traffic permitting, the controller may cut that segment from your route, instead offering something better, or if he doesnt... you could always ask for an amendment to your route and most times you will get it.

for all of the MSFS limitations where flight planning is concerned, i always just use GPS direct because it is so hard to simulate requests and route changes of the sort you might receive in reality.

Air Vandalay wrote on Jan 10^th, 2011 at 10:49am:

Hello, a relative newbie here... I've been using FSX for a few months now, and I've been flying VFR using multiple waypoints (IFR got on my nerves with all the zig-zagging)..my question to you actual licensed pilots is: is there a criteria for selecting a waypoint?

I think Ritter has been doing too much flying "in the system"... he's left out some things.  ;)  ;D

Not everybody uses published waypoints and routes for real-world VFR flying... heck, in most areas you don't even need a radio.


For this non-instrument-rated private pilot prop driver (in the USA), the only criteria are:

-Will I be able to identify it visually from the expected altitude and bearing?
-Will it keep me within gliding distance of terrain suitable for an emergency landing (preferably a runway), without taking me too far out of my way?
-Will it keep me out of airspaces I am not allowed in or don't want to deal with?
-Will it keep me clear of terrain/obstacles while maintaining VFR?
-Is it not too far and not too close to the previous/next waypoint?

-that's pretty much it, although it is vital, in real life, to decide these things before you take off. You may have to change everything enroute, but you need to start with a plan.

Mind you, I usually do not use GPS in real life. Unfortunately, using only the tools within the simulation program, you are stuck with airports and GPS or ground navaid-generated intersections. But in general, unless you are in a controlled airspace and your course and altitude keeps you safe and legal, you can choose any waypoints you like.


Quote:

are there restrictions on some of them? (speed, altitude) please enlighten me..

For VFR flight outside of airspaces where controllers can assign you speeds, headings, and altitudes, even when using Flight Following the answer is "no". There is a "speed limit" below 10,000 MSL (250 knots), and there are some rules and recommendations regarding altitudes, but for VFR flight they are not dependent on waypoints so much as other factors.


Getting back to how I navigate in the real world: even when you have GPS on board and are being tracked by a controller, it's a good idea to know how to use only compass, clock, and chart (and a flight computer, ideally).
With these tools you can navigate quite precisely, with a great deal of flexibility.

And they can be used with a simulator, without much practice- eventually I will finish my tutorial on how to do so... it will be found here at SimV when it's ready. 

Until then, start by getting a copy of a real chart, pick some waypoints  and draw some lines, grab the mag headings off the nearest VOR compass rose, and try to just fly to your waypoints with the magnetic compass or DG, the chart, and the view outside. The sims out there don't always represent the real world with 100% accuracy, but that's OK... neither do the real-world charts. ;)  It's fun, and pretty easy- it's how I usually fly in the sim.

I guess my reply more responded to IFR rather than VFR :D

i suppose my point is... dont be afraid to fly IFR in the sim simply due to the "inconvenience" of having to fly VOR to VOR.

just select GPS routing and you are good to go.

;)