KSEA (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport) to KSMF (Sacramento International Airport)

After a few discouraging flights that did not end too well, I decided to jump back into the Airbus A319 to fine tune my skills flying the bus.  Tonight, I flew as Frontier Flight # 165 (fictional flight number) and after checking "VAT-SPY," I saw on-line controllers would be available using VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network).  I planned my flight using SimBrief and FlightAware which generated my virtual dispatch for the flight.  I checked in with Seattle Tower and after a small glitch in my flight plan (self induced), I was cleared to KSMF while departing 16L via the SUMMA7 departure.  The departure went smoothly and since I use ActiveSky Next to inject real world weather into FSX, the storm system blowing into the Pacific Northwest was depicted well.  At one point, I encountered a cross wind from the west at 141 knots!  I also experienced numerous lightning flashes in the cockpit as I flew over lightning storms over Oregon.

As I prepared to enter the Oakland ARTCC, the on-line controller went off-line so I began my descent into Sacramento via the TUDOR2 arrival with a planned landing on 34L.  Recently, I have been splitting my time between Boeing aircraft (737-757-777) and the Airbus A319.  Both are represented very well and the CDU's or FMC's are inherently different.  After doing some recent research on Al Gore's Internet and watching some tutorial videos, I realized I was not operating the Airbus CDU properly during the descent phase of flight.  This time, I had the charts loaded on my iPad and was able to enter the proper transitions which created a great line-up for 34L.  Once established on the localizer with the glidescope alive, I kicked off the autopilot and hand flew the approach.  It wasn't the best landing but everyone survived and that is what counts! 

Anyway, this flight ended with a great feeling of satisfaction since I was able to depart a large airfield using VATSIM and I managed to land using the proper procedures at Sacramento International Airport.  Anyway.....looking forward to my next flight. 

Simulator/Add-ons used:
FSX
Default KSEA scenery
Default KSMF scenery
Orbx Pacific Northwest/Orbx Northern California
Orbx Global 1.30
Orbx Vector
Aerosoft A319-100
ActiveSky Next
FSDreamTeam GSX Ground Services

Taxiing to 16L via taxiway Bravo

Taxiing

Departing KSEA

Cruising at FL350

Wingview

Wing/Engine View

Mt. Shasta

Beale AFB

Flying over the farms

Passing KSMF

Navigation Display (ND) showing the arrival route

On Final for 34L

Taxiing to the Gate

Ground Crew/Marshaller directing me to the gate

Busy ground crew unloading the baggage