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Topics - Tom Maxwell

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I've noticed on SkyVector that not all fixes are shown on the charts.  Yesterday I was practicing for my P2 check ride flying out of Love Field KDAL to Tyler Pounds Regional KTYR.  Looking at the World Low chart on SkyVector I see KDAL->ROCKK->TYR->KTYR.  Looking on Flightaware I see two flight plans referencing the HUBB9 and GARL6 departures.  Both departures show the same route but add the CLARE fix between KDAL and ROCKK.   CLARE is not shown on the World Low chart.  OK, "good job," I think, "You did your homework properly."  So when I get online I file KDAL->HUBB9->CLARE->ROCKK->TYR->KTYR.  I call for clearance and get an amended route of KDAL->HANUH->CLARE->ROCKK->TYR->KTYR.   "WTF,"  I say to myself, "What is HANUH?"  So I ask for time to look at it and enter HANUH into SkyVector and sure enough it comes up as a crosshair waypoint with no label.  In addition, adding HANUH into the route puts a sharp 90 degree jog into the route which I don't think is really appropriate, but I digress.  Never the less, I accepted the amendment and flew it.  In the spirit of trying to be right more than wrong, what does a guy have to go by if the controllers are using fixes that don't show up on the World Low chart or the SIDs?  Did I miss something in my research?  What is the controller looking at that I missed?  I'm not upset, I'm just trying to learn how to do my part to lessen the load on the controllers and have fewer corrections in the process.  I will admit it does create a bit of anxiety in met when an amendment is issued to what was thought to be a well planned route. Just curious if I am missing something.

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The Flight Deck / How to figure out which center frequency to use.
« on: July 23, 2018, 08:02:01 PM »
Thanks for the reply on my last question about choosing SIDs and STARs.  One more question please.  During a normal flight in the real world you can count on ATC being online and handing you off from one frequency to another.  On my flight the other day during the ZMP event, I started in Sioux Falls KFSD and there was no ATC available there.  I checked the center frequencies to find 4 different center frequencies (if I recall properly) online.  How do I figure out which one to use?  I know they divide the airspace high/low and different directions, but that information is not available to pilots, as far as I know.  I tried checking the charts on SKYVector and either didn't know where to look or couldn't find the information.  I resorted to just listening on the different frequencies until I heard an aircraft near my location and used that frequency.  If anyone could give me some insight on how to figure this out, I'll be appreciative.  Thanks again for the assistance.

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The Flight Deck / Choosing STARs and SIDs for GA Piston Aircraft
« on: July 23, 2018, 07:20:17 AM »
The other day I flew from KFSD (Sioux Falls) to KMSP (Minneapolis) IFR in a Diamond DA62 (Baron type aircraft with twin piston/prop engines about 180 KTS TAS).  I originally filed using the TORGY3 STAR and was told by ATC I couldn't do that because the TORGY3 STAR is for Turbojet aircraft only -fair enough. ATC then assigned me the SKETR5 STAR which I flew without issue.  The SKETR5 STAR does not say Turbojet Only on it but it does reference Turbojet and Turboprop altitudes on it.  I understand the issues involved with slow aircraft clogging up a big boy arrival, so how do I go about choosing SIDS and STARS when flying IFR in slower GA aircraft like the DA62 or C172?  Is anything that doesn't say Turbojet only fair game? Or should I just file VOR to VOR or direct using waypoints and let ATC vector me out of and into the terminal areas?  I wasn't offended and appreciate the correction, I just don't want to make the same mistake twice.  Thanks! 

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The Classroom (Controller Tips) / Euroscope Set Up
« on: July 02, 2018, 09:44:05 AM »
I am new to controlling and am trying to learn and configure the Euroscope client.  I like the versatility in configuring the program.  I am struggling to understand the configuration file structure and workflow in using them.  If there is a resident Euroscope expert available who wouldn't mind mentoring me off forum or on, I will be very appreciative.  Thank-you!

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