IVAO Belgium

At this moment, we already accomplished a lot: we’re connected to IVAO, we have the most recent navigation data and we filled in and filed our flight plan… So what’s next?

Well, as soon as we get an approval from the controller, a “clearance”, we can start flying the route mentioned in the flight plan. This can be done in different ways.

Based on charts.

Before the existence of modern computers or complex navigation systems, all navigation was based on maps (sometimes even with some help from the stars). Within IVAO, some people still use maps to find their way to their destination. It works but is not very practical.

Based on the FMC or CDU in the airplane.

Most of the payware airplanes (like Pmdg, Ifly, Feelthere, Aerosoft, etc) are equipped with a FMC or CDU. The FMC or CDU replaces the navigational charts but it’s good practice to have them with you anyway. An FMC or CDU is really what it says to be: a flight computer just as the ones you can find in real modern airplanes.

You put in the departure airport, the SID, the route, the arrival airport and the presumed STAR and the autopilot can do the rest. And what’s the catch? Programming an FMC is not easy and takes a lot of time, studying and practice!

Via FSCommander or another add-on.

FSCommander (Payware) is a navigation program linked with Flight SimulatorX or Flight Simulator 2004. Other programs (for example the old program Fsnavigator, ...) exist as well but FsCommander is the newest and most widely used navigation program. It allows you to plot your route, to get weather information, .... The program has numerous other possibilities less important for us right now but the program remains a handy tool for a (starting) virtual pilot. You can buy and download the program for a small price via the following link: http://www.fscommander.com/