The point behind the RNAV DPs is that you are using them the second you are in the air; no vectors required. ATC assigns the DPs. However, there are a few things you can do to pretty much guarantee that you'll get the RNAV DP that you want....
1. File a real world, really assigned ATC routing. A great place to find these is fltplan.com
2. Decide that whatever is done in the RW is what you want to fly
3. File the RNAV DP fix in the title, or if you have options, the transition that you want as your first fix
For example, Boston just added 8 new RNAV DPs in the past 9 months. It used to be that if you wanted to fly KBOS-JFK, you would normally file:
LUCOS SEY PARCH CCC ROBERATC would normally assign the LOGANx (where x is the current number, e.g. LOGAN6) Departure, which is a radar vector DP. Assuming you filed the above, your clearance would normally sound like:
"American 123, cleared to Kennedy via the LOGAN6 departure, radar vectors LUCOS, then as filed. Maintain 5000, expect FLxxx 10 minutes after departure...." So even though you wouldn't file LOGAN6, ATC would assign it.
But life has changed. One of the 8 new DPs at Boston is the SSOXS DP (currently the SSOXS2). AND, Boston now uses RNAV DPs as a standard/default.
So, nowadays you'd file:
SSOXS LUCOS SEY PARCH CCC ROBER (note you're just filing the fix, not SSOXS2)
Your clearance would normally sound like:
"American 123, cleared to Kennedy via the SSOXS2 RNAV Departure, LUCOS transition, then as filed. Expect FLxxx 10 minutes after departure...." So again, even though you wouldn't file SSOXS2, ATC would assign it.
Also note that in the first example, your clearance specifically told you to expect 5000 initially, but the second clearance did not state that. That's because, in most RNAV DPs, the initial altitude to maintain is written right into the DP.
Other example. Nowadays, for airports that now use RNAV DPs as a standard, even pilots who file an "old" route but indicate that they are advanced navigation capable (GPS, RNAV, INS, etc.) will likely receive an RNAV DP in their clearance.
For example, AAL123 files KBOS-KJFK with a route of LUCOS SEY PARCH CCC ROBER and is flying a H/B744/G. Guess what. His clearance will be via the SSOXS2 RNAV Departure, LUCOS transition, then as filed.
These RNAV DPs are springing up across the country fast and furious. Since many pilots are still using default aircraft and/or GPSs with default navigation fixes, it's entirely possible that many pilots may not be able to navigate to all the new fixes on all these new RNAV DPs. The FAA recommends that pilots who cannot, or do not wish to, fly STARs and/or DPs file "No DP/STAR" in their flight plan. My suggestion for pilots who cannot, or do not wish to, fly RNAV DPs is to include "No RNAV DPs" in their flight plan, or at least verbally tell the clearance delivery controller that they do not wish an RNAV DP. This practice would greatly aid the controller who is trying to figure out quickly and efficiently which DP to assign. Because if you don't, here's what could happen (happens every day at KBOS nowadays....):
1. Pilot files KBOS-KJFK with a route of LUCOS SEY PARCH CCC ROBER and is flying a H/B744/G.
2. Pilot is cleared via the SSOXS2 RNAV Departure, LUCOS transition, then as filed.
3. Pilot reads back his clearance
(and therefore accepts the RNAV DP!!!)[some intermediate steps omitted for brevity]
4. Pilot takes off and heads straight out, or turns directly toward LUCOS, or does some other wacky thing....
5. Controller asks AAL123 where he's going
6. Pilot says, "Straight out" or "Direct LUCOS" or "The controller never gave me a heading" or "Gee, I dunno...."
7. Controller gently reminds pilot that he was cleared for the RNAV DP and therefore should be following it
8. Pilot complains loudly that he can't fly the RNAV DP and the controller screwed up by giving it to him....
Yadda yadda yadda
A fellow VATSIM pilot, Graham Mitchell, has graciously developed and shared with the community updates for the default MSFS GPS. These can be found on his website:
http://www.btinternet.com/~gb.mitch/index.html A discussion can be found on the VATSIM forums:
http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30992 With these updates, it is possible to fly the RNAV DPs (and STARs as well) by using the GPS. It's a bit of plugging in direct-to waypoints fast and furious right after takeoff, but it can certainly be done.
We're all in this together, and we all want to have a good time. Situations like the above are frustrating for everyone. That said, hopefully the explanation and tips and tricks provided here help a little bit!
