[FAQ] [Read first: lots of answers!!!] Tips and Tricks

[pagir]

#14 How can I calculate the time taken for a flight?

To know how long the flight will be, use the "flight planner" in the first FS2004 menu.

Then set your departure airport and the destination airport.

Press the "Find" button to find your route.

Press the "navlog" button.

There you'll find how long FS estimate your flight.

Now don't type in this number; it's not really that accurate. This number is calculating max cruise speed non-stop
from A to B. It isn't
taking into account pax loading time, taxiing, climinging speed, then cruise speed once your 30 minutes into the
flight, and then the same
thing again descending to your destination.

To get better precision, take the ETE number, add 5 minutes if your going to do a 5 minute pax loading delay (or
whatever), add another 5-
10 (this could be even longer if using Ultimate Traffic at a busy airport) for taxiing at the two airports, and tack on
another 10-20minutes to
account for MSFS' ATC routing you to the ILS for landing (you'll be flying that at 250kts, not mach .85). Now the ETE
is more like 3h02m
from gate to gate.

Example: You're in a small airport heading for a busy one. FS told you it will be a 2h50 trip.
First add 5 minutes for taxiing.

You're coming from the east but you know ATC will give you landing clearance from the west, So you wil have to
make a "U-turn". Add 20
minutes.

Since you're landing at a busy airport, you should taxi for long. So add 10 minutes.

Your trip will be 3h25 at least.

This one is from Ryanamur, JaWood and Pagir