Can you practice approaches from within FS9?

[thrillsandchills]

Hiya,

What I'd like to do is fly the STAR (and the approach,) but not have to fly from the departure airport.

Is there some way, I could set up a flight plan that focuses just on the arrival phase of the flight. i.e. Executing the STAR and approach, and landing.

Any comments, or suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks in advance,

Thrills And Chills

[walterleo]

Hi:

As long as you fly a not so exotic simulation (like PT-Tu 154M) and you stay with the same airplane:

Fly from the airport of your choice, go to where you want to start your procedure AND SAVE THERE YOUR FLIGHT with a convenient name. After landing or at your next FS9 session call the saved flight and VOILA you are out for the next STAR and approach, the airplane´s and all the panel´s settings, the speed and heading and the weather should be the same.

Happy landing

Walter

P.S.: If Irememberr well, the FS9 "ATC" may demand in that cases that you get a new IFRclearancee to be able to select the STAR on the Garmin GPS.
But having the approach charts at hand you can fly the procedures without FS9 "ATC".

[jimhalinda]

Also, if you are not using a default FS9 aircraft, then when first opening FS9, start and load a flight with a default aircraft, and then open your saved flight. I've read (probably here) in the past that you might have issues with add-on aircraft if you start FS9 and don't select and load a default aircraft first.

Regards,

Jim

[walterleo]

Hi:

Also a good idea is to save the start of your practice approach in paused state and the airplane still clean and gear up at an altitude higher than the minimum safe altitude, because altitude and or speed losses can occur.
After loading the flight better check being still in paused mode, if all systems are put as they should. In complex panels it can happen, that e.g. the hydraulics are off or the cabin is pressure less. All that should be rectified before leaving the paused state.

That the FS session should be started with default C 172 and everything switched off
is more an advice befor calling and starting complex panels from dark and cold.
Kind regards

Walter