I’ve reached the point, first with FS 98 and now with FS 2002 that I can fly and land at least a few of the aircraft but, after many attempts to pass the checklist flights and plan and fly an IFR flight plan I find that I have a big problem in really understanding the FS program – in making it all come together.  Here are just a few of the problems I have:

I can’t find any decent charts other than those few as are used in the manual for the lessons and adventures..  Neither the charts to be found in Flight Planner (nor the Nav Log) show ILS frequencies or runway numbers.  Even following the ATC messages I’m never sure if I’m approaching the correct runway or have Nav 1 set correctly.  The net resources referred to either offer the same incomplete charts or require purchase of life-like facsimiles.

From my experience of trying to use navigation instruments while skipping around the country I conclude that the program only supports a limited number of airports with VOR, ILS or ADF facilities, the reasons for which I can readily understand.  If I’m correct, is there anyway to determine which ones they are?

I could recite many other aggravations but would ask if there is anyone that has written a few scenarios, like the “walkthroughs” available for adventure computer games that lead one thorough the process step-by-step, not only for the flying aspects but also describing the proper use of the program – Click here, Enter this, Change that, Open this etc.?  Failing that, a source for airport descriptions with runway numbers, ILS frequencies and headings, would be helpful.  From a previous posting I see fsnavigator is a source but I don’t want all of that, just for a few airports that I like to practice with like Tampa, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, etc.  I can’t even find any details for O’Hare.

One other thing, the voices in the lessons and check flights are difficult for me to understand (all other sounds and voices in ATC are OK except they sometimes stutter).  In the “Help” index I found that CTR-Y should give me closed captions    – only it doesn’t work.  Any advice on how I can overcome these frustrations? Thank you.

I recommend FSNav too, but if you dont want to spend the money you can get the same info from the map (the icon that looks like a compass).  It's slow and lame and that's why people get FSNav.

If you want the info on, say, Tampa, just start a flight from there.  Before you take off, open map mode.  That will give you all of the information that FSNav will give you - headings, radio frequencies, etc.  It's just a lot slower.  I write down all of that info for my frequent airports anyway.

You can also get the information about airports from real life sources such as:
http://www.airnav.com/airports/ and
http://www.naco.faa.gov/ap_diagrams.asp

There are similar resources around the world for some countries.

You can even get the sectional maps of the USA online at:
http://aviationtoolbox.org/raw_data/FAA/sectionals/current/

When the ATCO sends you direct to Newark, it is just the AI in the program trying to be helpful, sending you to your final destination as easily as possible. If you want to do a touch and go somewhere, you are prbably better off doing two flight plans.

Finally you could try ignoring the ATCO ( or cancel the IFR flight plan) and fly the real arrival procedures available from the above resources, this is much more interesting and challenging than always being vectored for a straight in approach.

Neal

That's your NAV radio source identifying itself, so you know you're receiving the correct signal.

Turning it off depends on the radio gauges that your panel uses.  When it's beeping you can expect to see a NAV1 or NAV2 light on.  Just click on the light and it should go off and turn off the beeping.  Don't worry, your radio is still tuned to the station.