Flying To Closed Airports: Pmdg's Unique Ability

can you fly to closed airports with the pmdg

The PMDG 737 is a popular flight simulator, and users frequently discuss their experiences with the aircraft on online forums. One common issue is the inability to locate certain airports in the PMDG's database, particularly when creating flight plans. This issue can be caused by outdated AIRAC files or changes to the airport's characteristics. In some cases, users have suggested that it is possible to fly to closed airports by manually adding them to the database or by planning a flight to a nearby airport and breaking off to fly the approach independently. However, this requires knowledge of waypoints and programming flight plans, and it may not always be successful.

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Arrival airport not listed in PMDG FMC

If your arrival airport is not listed in the PMDG FMC, there are a few potential reasons and solutions.

Firstly, check that you have the latest version of the FMS Manager and ensure that your nav data is up to date. Outdated nav data could be causing the issue.

Secondly, if you are using an airport that is not in the database, you may need to manually enter the coordinates of the airport as the first waypoint on the LEGS page. This is a supplemental procedure for the 744/748 when departing or arriving at an airport not in the FMC database.

Another potential solution is to create a fictitious entry in the nav data for your arrival airport. This involves adding a line for each runway in wpNavAPT and an entry in airports.dat. This method has been used successfully by at least one user.

Additionally, some users have reported that they were able to enter the arrival airport data while in flight, even though it was not possible before the latest update. Try proceeding with your flight and see if the issue resolves itself.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact PMDG support for further assistance.

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Using older airports

It is possible to use older airports with the PMDG, but it may require some workarounds. Some users have reported issues with certain airports not being recognized or listed in the PMDG FMC. This could be due to outdated AIRAC data or other technical issues.

One solution suggested by users is to download the latest AIRAC data, which may allow you to program your flight correctly. You can also try using a different flight planning tool, such as SimBrief, which may have its own database for older airports and routes. Another workaround is to plan your flight to a nearby airport and then break off the magenta line to fly the approach manually to your intended destination.

Additionally, you can try creating a custom flight plan by using the closest valid airport as your destination and then adding the older airport by latitude and longitude data as the last waypoint in the FMC LEGS. This method may require some experimentation and is not guaranteed to work flawlessly.

It's worth noting that some airports may not be compatible with certain aircraft, such as the PMDG 777, due to size restrictions. It is recommended to check airport compatibility before planning your flight.

While using older airports with the PMDG is possible, it may require some creativity and manual adjustments to your flight plans.

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Add-on airports

Some users opt to only use add-ons for specific flights, while others prefer to always fly in and out of add-on airports. Some users also note that they prefer to use add-ons for airports they have a personal connection to, such as their home airport, airports they trained in, or airports they are based in for work.

There are some challenges with add-on airports, however. One user notes that they were unable to find anywhere to park at some of the smaller airports when flying the 777, as it is a very large aircraft. Another user notes that they had to manually add a fictional airport to the database, which they were unsure if it was still possible after updates to the software.

In addition, some users have reported issues with the arrival airport not being listed in the PMDG FMC for Flight Simulator 2004. This issue appears to be related to the AIRAC files, SID/STARS, or other characteristics of the airport in question.

Overall, add-on airports appear to be a well-liked feature of the PMDG simulations, offering enhanced realism and challenge for users.

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Default airports

The PMDG 737 is a commonly used aircraft in these simulations, and users have reported issues with certain airports not being recognized by the aircraft. For example, a user reported that the arrival airport PAFA was not listed in the PMDG FMC, despite creating a flight plan and adding waypoints. Another user reported a similar issue with departure waypoints for KPHL. In some cases, these issues may be due to outdated AIRAC files or changes in the characteristics of the airport.

To address these issues, users have suggested updating the AIRAC data, manually adding airports to the database, or planning flights to nearby airports and breaking off the magenta line to fly the approach manually. It is also important to note that the EFB airports database used in PMDG simulations includes all airports found in default and add-on scenery. Therefore, ensuring that the EFB scans and detects any changes to the installed scenery is crucial for accurate airport displays and performance calculations.

While some users prefer to avoid default airports, others find them sufficient for their simulation needs. Ultimately, the choice between default and add-on airports depends on personal preferences and the desired level of immersion and realism in the flight simulation experience.

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777 compatible airports

The Boeing 777 aircraft are commonly used for long-haul international flights and often fly into major US airports that can handle large wide-body jets. Some key US airports that regularly accommodate Boeing 777 flights include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). These airports are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, including long runways, large gates, and customs facilities for international passengers.

When it comes to finding compatible airports for the PMDG 777, there are several options available. Some of the suggested airports include London Heathrow (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). These airports are praised for their superb scenery and smooth performance. Additionally, Miami (MIA), created by BMW/Amsim, is recommended as a good option for the 777.

For those seeking international destinations, Amsterdam is a popular choice, with KLM and other operators flying numerous 777s to and from the city. Singapore, crafted by Imagine Sim, is also highly regarded as SIN operates a large number of 777s. Tokyo's Narita and Haneda airports are also compatible with the PMDG 777, with the former available from DD and the latter through MSFS with an apron enhancement from flightsim.to.

Furthermore, some users have mentioned crew training flights operated by Swiss from Zurich to Athens using the 777. During these training flights, the aircraft was flown to the following airports: LSGG, LEBL, LEMG, EDDF, EDDH, EDDV, and EGLL.

While not an exhaustive list, these suggestions provide a starting point for compatible airports for the PMDG 777.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the airport. Some closed airports are not supported by the PMDG.

You could plan to fly to a nearby airport and break off the magenta line sooner to fly the approach manually.

One user suggests making the closest valid airport your destination and then putting the closed airport in by latitude/longitude data as the last waypoint in the FMC legs.

Some airports that can accommodate the PMDG 777 include:

- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

- Paul International Airport (MSP)

- Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)

Some users have reported issues with the arrival airport not being listed in the PMDG FMC for the following airports:

- PAFA

- KPHL

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