HOW TO FLY A SINGLE OR CAREER ASSIGNMENT WITH ATP OR AS
Note: This "how to" assumes that you are flying ATP Revision D or E or Airline Simulator Version 1.x that have the real ATC voice capability.
First, by whatever means, you need your flight plan. This data needed is:
- Departure and Destination COM and other frequencies.
- NAV checkpoints enroute-Note: This may come later from the Clearance Delivery controller.
- Weather and winds data, etc.
Note: This data can come from the SMS system, the Clearance controller, the USA Flight Assignment (FA) program, etc.
Second, to actually fly the assignment
- You will be postioned near the terminal. Tune COM1 to the departure ATIS frequency (If no find use generic flight service at 122.00 or generic ATIS at 127.00) to get local conditions-pay attention to the wind speed and direction! You do not want to takeoff downwind! Detune COM1 to shut it off.
- Next tune to the Clearance Delivery frequency for your location and enter CNTL+X to receive it. Copy it down. To respond to the message hit CNTL+ENTER to "Roger" the call. From here on out use this command to respond to all ATC commands unless otherwise noted.
- Next tune COM1 to Ground Control a press CNTL+TAB to request taxi for takeoff. From now on use this command to "check in" with newly assigned COM frequencies. Press CNTL+ENTER to "Roger." If the assigned runway will cause a downwind takeoff you can request another runway with CNTL+/. You can now manually taxi to the end of the assigned runway to jump to it with a "~". Don't forget to enter your 4 digit assigned "squak" code on the transponder! Turn it on with SHIFT+I.
-Next, tune to the Tower frequency and press CNTL+TAB to get the message. This is your request for takeoff. Again "Roger" this. Make sure you have all your NAV data entered, flaps set, etc. If you have AS or 3DAGS glass cockpit-you need to feed the NAV data into the FMC using the normal procedures.
- Follow the usual takeoff procedures keeping a positive ascent rate, follow flaps schedule, etc. Note: Full thrust is "\", after gear up clinb thrust is "I". Somewhere in here you will be passed to the Departure controller to check in the CNTL+TAB and hen "Roger." (I usually cheat and set COM1 to the Departure frequency right after I "Roger" the Tower call above! Things get a little busy on takeoff!)
- Soon there after you are passed to a series of Center controllers for the cruise portion of the flight. Check in with CNTL+TAB and Roger with CNTL+ENTER. You can request a different altitude with CNTL+A. Use CNTL+Q to report leaving an assigned altitude. With AS or 3DAGS you can easily follow your route in the NAV display.
NOTE: The ATP/AS ATC system does NOT take mountains into consideration when assigning you vectors! If you are flying into Albuquerque, NM or anywhere in the ATP Swiss scenery, pay attention to the terrain and manually fly around the mountains if necessary!
- As you get "near" your destination and BEFORE you are directed to begin your initial descent you must check in with the destination ATIS!
- You are eventually passed to an Approach controller to begin descent. You will be assigned a runway and then vectors to intercept the runway' ILS. Note: The ILS frequency MUST BE tuned in on COM1. Check destination winds and request another runway with CNTL+/ if needed.
- Press CNTL+T to report "runway in sight." If you can't see it around minimums report a missed approach with CNTL+M, clean up your aircraft and ascend straight ahead. If you are directed to execute a missed approach do the same thing.
- Once you have landed on something you hope is the right runway, use the thrust reversers and/or brakes to come to a full stop. The program will then display your grades for the flight!
- Clear that box off the screen and then press CNTL+, to taxi to the terminal!
That's it! Now you need to practice like we all did to really have some fun with it!
Note: If you have problems with any particular assignment-try letting the program fly it in the Autoflight mode to see what it wants you to do in a specific portion of the flight.