Citation CJ4 FMS/FMC Tutorial - Microsoft Flight Simulator - Part 1

How to program the FMS in the Citation CJ4 in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Departures, arrivals, enroute, and discontinuities are covered.
Discontinuities are not always a bad thing. They should not always be deleted. Find out why in this video.
For how to set up an ILS approach, how to easily clear a route, how to draw the final approach course, and what LOC WILL BE TUNED really means - • Setting Up an ILS Appr...
The linked video is part 2 of this FMS series and is playable for those who become channel members at the private pilot level or higher.
Joining the channel helps support the channel. Become a channel member and get access to a custom made CJ4 Checklist for MSFS as well as a TBM 930 custom made checklist, climb, cruise, and descent performance charts as well as a basic overview of important speeds and more..... including detailed videos on the FlySimWare Cessna 414, FlySimWare Learjet 35, and more.
/ @thecorporatepilotdad

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If you enjoy aviation podcasts, check out The Corporate Pilot Guys Podcast which I am a part of with another corporate pilot: open.spotify.com/show/3CGTyNGt0hGG9nlSDElOlj

[@KaiTakApproach]

The CJ4 was my first jet and FMS trainer in MSFS. I moved on the the PMDG 737 after a couple of months, but I went back to the CJ4 after the avionics update. This system handles like a dream and is a joy compared to the 737. What a great handling, well designed aircraft.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If you've been around my channel much, you know I'm not a fan of airliners either. They are big and slow which equals less fun. The functionality for the price is hard to beat in the CJ4.

[@FTStratLP]

Thank you for this great tutorial. Straight to the point, no stutter like in many other KZbin totorials on FS subjects.

[@gromm93]

Nice. Now I just need the first 3 videos that explain this video!

[@mxcollin95]

Great video! I love the way you do it…thorough but straight to the point! Well done man as always. 🤙

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Thank you very much. A lot of time is taken to edit videos. Nothing is worse than watching a 45-minute-long video where the pertinent information takes 5 seconds to say.

[@kevincamping140]

Great video, thanks! Would love to see a more detailed video about advanced functions in the FMS - missed approach procedures, adding and deleting waypoints and fixes, setting up a hold, etc. And any other FMS tips you might regularly use in the IFR environment.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Some of those videos already exist on my channel. There are videos on holds, and adding and deleting waypoints. Here is one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4vIkmqYgZaefNE

[@riri-tu5oi]

As someone who has flown on vatsim for years you did an amazing job of describing route discontinuities.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Thank you. Discontinuities are like taxes. Sometimes they are needed and other times they are not needed.

[@pajx3]

Ooooh - fantastic concise video. Good job

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Thank you. Another CJ4 video is being uploaded as we speak.

[@GumperVanLier]

It's been awhile since I've flown this jet. I can't wait until you do a whole flight with it again like you did over a year ago.

[@johane4979]

You make it sound so easy 😅

[@deltacharlie5331]

Great video! By the way, is there any way to retrieve the ILS frequency of the destination runway from the FMS?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If the approach is loaded the frequency will be entered automatically. I do not believe there is an option to look up the ILS frequency ahead of time in the FMS in MSFS. If it works, go to INDEX page 2 and select ARR DATA. I have used this FMS for 12 years and had to look this up. I never use this feature. The LOC will be tuned automatically. Before intercepting final, it’s a good idea to verify the tuned frequency matches the frequency on the approach plate.

[@JanZ56]

Newbie here. I'm not sure I quite followed your discontinuity explanation at the 2:30 mark. You indicated that in some instances the discontinuity would not be deleted, and, in your example, it was eliminated. Can you elaborate on this point a bit more? Also, it would be helpful if you enabled subtitles/closed captions for this video. Thank you in advance. Great videos, BTW.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If the discontinuity comes after a fix on a departure that shows a heading or a course (such as 280 heading after RUUDY in the departure), do not delete the discontinuity. In the real world, the heading on the chart after the fix will be flown until ATC says otherwise. The discontinuity was deleted on the arrival because it was added between the route and the arrival. The clearance was DJB then BAGEL. The FMS was showing BAGEL DISCONTINUITY then DJB. In that case, DJB would be placed on top of the DISCONTINUITY as shown in the video. I will enable captions now.

[@JanZ56]

Thank you for the quick response and explanation.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@JanZ56 You are welcome! I just happened to be sitting at the computer. Another CJ4 video drops tomorrow.

[@flyguy54]

Perhaps unrealistic, but I often enter an approach like ILS23 in the FMS when initially setting it up (prior to takeoff). With AAU1 the arrival runway does not appear in the Legs page. Legs end with the last fix in the ILS. Am I required to enter the approach after becoming airborne, closer to my arrival airport?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The approach can be entered any time. A discontinuity should be added before the approach so it won’t matter when the approach is added. IRL the approach is added after the ATIS is received only because it wastes time putting in an approach only to get something different which needs to be programmed again.

[@flyguy54]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thank you.

[@airbornerat]

Thank you 🏝🏜🦂🕸

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I agree another outstanding video! 😁🛫 Every time I watch one of your videos it sparks a question for me, I wanted to know more about the working title CJ4 then I learned that this a MoD for the original CJ4 in FS2020 cool.

[@Slovakianstallion]

So I've been struggling with this for over an hour and still can't figure it out. Changing the altimeter units. I can change them on the PFD via the PFD menu, but they stay imperial on the FMS, so I can't enter QNH in hPa for takeoff PERF. The settings where this should be (IDX -> Settings) do not include altimeter units, I only have ground power, cabin lights, and simbrief ID. Does anyone know how to change the units on the FMS?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The only way to make the change is to go into settings inside of MSFS. Selected MISC and change UNITS OF MEASUREMENT to metric.

[@MattDiComo]

This video was very helpful thank you!! One question is there a way to see the winds in flight? Say like you can on a g1000 or g3000

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

There is - on the FMS press IDX -> PROG -> NEXT (Which is page 2 of the progress page). Winds are given in true north and also the tailwind and crosswind component are given. Winds are also given on the primary flight display to the left of the selected heading. There is a magenta arrow pointing the direction the wind is blowing towards as well as the speed. If you want precise winds, the top steps are the way to go. In the real world sometimes, ATC will ask for a wind readout when another airplane wants to know the winds at our altitude before they start a climb, and that is where we go to give that information to the controller.

[@MattDiComo]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thanks!!

[@markmark711]

Great video love flying the cj4 one issue i have is the ACtive Data Base in out of date do you know any way to get this up to date? i have clicked the button next to it but nothing happens at all.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

It can be updated if you have Navigraph by downloading the latest AIRAC cycle. Other than the database message being displayed in yellow, there won't be any noticeable differences.

[@stevek.9424]

Great video as always! Question on Approach PERF- say your approach is KASE (Aspen) LOC DME-E, which is a "Runway Unspecified" approach. The Runway field on the PERF page is blank and you can't enter it manually, so it won't calculate your Vapp or Vref speeds. Any tricks to getting this to work, or is this a limitation of AAU1?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Unfortunately, there is currently not a way to enter the runway into the FMS to compute performance. In reality, the specific runway would be entered under "RWY ID" by selecting PERF ->APPROACH. These steps are used for circling approaches. For example, if doing an approach to a specific runway but circling to another runway, the runway ID needs to be changed to the landing runway to check the landing distance against the landing distance available. I.E. LOC 27 circle to land 18R

[@stevek.9424]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thanks! One workaround I guess is to temporarily enter the RNAV Z RW15 approach into the FMS, compute the approach V speeds, then switch back to the LOC DME-E approach. I'll ping the WT Discord CJ4 channel to see if the RWY ID field in the FMS can be activated as a feature request.

[@lyingcat9022]

Yes I noticed that too and it is annoying. I do wonder why they left that as an inop when almost everything else is modeled in the sim FMS?

[@Iamamclaren]

What is a des and it lists the time and nautical miles from the des socalled

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

DES is displayed when a descent path will be calculated to have the aircraft reach an altitude of 1500' AGL no more than 10 NM from the destination airport.

[@Iamamclaren]

Thanks this was helpful because everytime after I do my flight plans it will pop up next to the mfd info like the departure and how far to the next leg

[@guywholikesplanes]

Gotta say, picking up the CJ4 after AAU1, I gotta work on my landings. I usually fly small GA's, larger vintage transports and an LSA irl, and the closest thing to the CJ4 in terms of landings would be the DCS Mig 21 Is there a way to configure the FMS for pattern work?

[@JoeDFWAviation]

Yes- kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3KlfJKraNqXjrM

[@jjtao]

where does one get the route for the flight plan, I use simbrief but it doesn't generate this

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The route in the video was from the real-world flight planning website I use which is a commonly cleared ATC route. After checking SimBrief, the route in the video came up as the #1 option.

[@thanos5220]

On the first part how do I update if the text is yellow? Because for some reason mine is

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Mine is amber/yellow also. To update the database, you can download the latest AIRAC cycle from Navigraph. Outside of updating the AIRAC cycle and having an older database you probably won't notice a single missing waypoint or approach.

[@GregFliesVR]

Thanks corp dad. Im still having a hard time learning this new avionics suite, and there are some gaps in my knowledge on how to fly the CJ4 with an IFR flight plan. Mainly, my jet circles around a certain waypoint and i dont know how to get it to go to the next waypoint. Perhaps i need to do something with the nav radios manually? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If using the FMS, tuning NAV radios won't do anything. Make sure the flight mode annunciator (top section of the PFD) shows NAV and not HDG or ROL. The FMS should sequence to the next waypoint. You can go direct to a waypoint by pressing DIR and selected the point and then pressing EXEC or select a fix and move it to the L2 position in Magenta. After going direct, does the airplane still fly in circles?

[@GregFliesVR]

@@thecorporatepilotdad i'll have to check but thank you so much for the response

[@TheBullethead]

Very helpful! Thanks muchos! Can you do something similar for the Longitude now after AAU1?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I have more videos coming tomorrow with the TBM that can also be used with the Longitude.

[@TheBullethead]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I'm quite interested in that the TBM is my main ride in FSE and I've been wondering how things have changed. But the TBM doesn't have autothrottle and that's my main learning point with the Longitude, which I've never flown more than a couple times befroe. The only airliners I fly have props or is the 146 with the FMS removed, so FMS programming is definitely not my strong suit :)

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@TheBullethead FMS programming is easy with practice. I was horrible at it 11 years ago when using a Collins FMS for the first time which is the same as the CJ4 FMS. The jets I currently fly have auto throttles. I rarely use them and flying by hand smoothly is a great skill to have. Eventually, I will try to do something with auto throttles in MSFS.

[@TheBullethead]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I don't trust autothrottles myself. Just like, as an ex-trucker, I don't trust automatic transmissions when my life is on the line coming down a mountain on an icy road at 80K pounds. So likewise, I take a skeptical view of autothrottles in planes. But, like automatic transmissions in 18-wheelers, autothrottles exist and dealing with them is sometimes unavoidable these days, so I'd like to learn from somebody who knows what he's talking about.

[@LuLeBe]

@@TheBullethead but what exactly about autothrottle do you think is risky? I mean you can always set a speed or mode or profile and it'll follow that. Check out some airliner landings where the autothrottle does an amazing job at keeping the aircraft speed incredibly stable without any pilot intervention when flying difficult approaches, it's really cool for that. Of course for s normal descent or cruise flight it's not super necessary.

[@ShrikiJamadagni]

Great video. Flight plan set during game is not reflecting in citation ' fms..

[@BeechBaronG58.]

can you use the computer keyboard instead of clicking word by word on the fms?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Yes. Left click the scratchpad at the bottom of the FMS. The brackets will flash blue. When the brackets flash, the keyboard can be used for entering data. Click the scratchpad again to return to normal. Good luck!

[@russellmillett5642]

So what do we do if the active data base is expired? It just did March 22 2023 for me

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Nothing. If you have Navigraph you can download the latest database and the message will display in white showing the database is current.

[@andrew194854]

Thanks again for a great video, has the Cessna Mustang 510 kind of the same procedures?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The Mustang uses Garmin avionics which will be more aligned with the C172 with the G1000 avionics.

[@sunrise4905]

Its a great video im sure but to me its like your speaking a different language when it comes to waypoints, jetways or approaches as someone who is completely new to the FMC/FMS 😅

[@chrispurkiss1491]

Quick question. Do you preselect KTEB in the world map first or is there a way to achieve having a blank FMS?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I preselect the departure point in the world map. After selecting FPLN, the origin and destination are already blank. If the departure point is already filled in, that means less typing.

[@agenttex]

Thanks for the video… I’m a big fan of the CJ4 in MSFS. After this last update - the CJ4 flight characteristics on application of second notch of flaps have the pitch increase drastically and while manual flying requires A LOT of yoke push to maintain consistent rate of descent. It’s bugging me so bad as to dread flying it. In your opinion - is this realistic? Thanks for your reply - in advance…..

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The nose does pitch up when flaps 35 are added. The AP handles it well and even when hand flying, the increase in pitch can be fixed with immediate nose down trim and a small amount of forward elevator after flaps 35 are added. Other Citations I've flown in the real world do have pitch changes when flaps are added. There are times when lots of control pressure and trim is needed in real airplanes when flaps are extended or retracted. You should not dread flying the CJ4.

[@kdjunior5282]

When i created a flightplan ( WorldMap) it doesnt show up in the Plane...i dont know if its a joke ??? No plane has that kind o.a. Prob..????

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The route has to be programmed into the FMS.

[@FTStratLP]

Due to lack of time I created a flightplan in the WorldMap just yesterday and it showed up in the FMS. Mysteriously there have been no V-speeds calculated though. I have no idea if this was caused by not starting programming the fms from scratch.🤔

[@bottomace]

Any high altitude airways for me are not recognized in the FMS when inputting under "VIA". Victor airways are ok, but any "J" airways like in this video I get "AIRWAY NOT FOUND" error. Using latest Navigraph AIRAC cycles and all that jazz.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I tried a known Jet route on my sim and the FMS took it. What specific route are you entering, or did you get the "Airway Not Found" message when entering the same route in the video?

[@d0ppler77]

How do I update the FMS database? Mine is yellow :(

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Mine is too and updating doesn’t do anything unless you are using Navigraph which uses current procedures. You have to update the nav database on Navigraph’s website from their download manager.

[@alu2387]

Wait.. this is the same FMC as in the Challenger right? Been flying it in XP11 for about a year, since Hot Start released it....

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Technically, they differ but only by model number. The CL650 has a 6200 model number FMS and the CJ4 has a 3000. Outside of model numbers they are practically identical. Do you follow @foxtrotalphaaviation ? He’s a friend of the channel and he flies a CL650 IRL and has lots of tutorials on the Challenger.

[@alu2387]

@@thecorporatepilotdad yeah I follow Bob. I learnt a big deal of the Challengers FMC thanks to him :)

[@GamerShoter707]

Hi there thanks for the informational video!! One question, when I get a flight plan with SimBrief the departure procedure and arrival transition are not shown on the FMS. What am I doing wrong?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Press DEP ARR to select the departure and arrival procedures. Do the procedures not show up for all airports? Do you have old Working Title mods in your community folder?

[@GamerShoter707]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thanks for the quick reply! Most airports I’ve tested doesn’t have the departure procedure and arrival transition. I have no idea with Working Titles Mod because I’m on Xbox X version. Not sure if that’s where the issue is

[@calinutza33]

I had 2 missed approaches in Alaska , and I didn’t know to reprogram the FMS to an alternate airport , any tutorials about missed approaches and how to reprogram the FMS to a different airport ? Thank you. !

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

On the FPLN page, the alternate airport can be entered below the destination airport. Then hit DEP/ARR and an approach can be selected for the alternate airport. Another way is to change the destination on the FPLN page to the alternate airport. Points on the legs page can then be added if need be. The ILS video for the CJ4 on my channel shows how to erase the flight plan at the end of the video. Setting Up an ILS Approach in the CJ4 | Microsoft Flight Simulator kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrVhXyma8meqKs

[@calinutza33]

@@thecorporatepilotdad thank you Captain ! 👍

[@deondreward2494]

Do u have to have to buy navigraph chart to build your flight plan because I got simbrief already

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Simbrief will build the flight plan. The last I checked, SimBrief was still free even though they are owned by Navigraph.

[@iNeoN50]

Is it possible to change VPA value on descend performance page? I tried, but nothing happened.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I do not believe it is possible at the current time. I did try it a while back and it did not work.

[@BeechBaronG58.]

how did you get that flight director the arrow shape? mine got the cross shape and I would love to change it thnks

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

That is the single cue vs dual cue flight director. Select PFD MENU -> MENU ADV KNOB (above the PFD) -> Scroll down to CONFIG -> FLT DIR -> Select V-Bar

[@BeechBaronG58.]

@@thecorporatepilotdad thanks~~

[@BeechBaronG58.]

@@thecorporatepilotdad ok so to hit enter after scrolling down? I tried the push/select knob but doesn’t work

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@BeechBaronG58. push the center off the select knob

[@BeechBaronG58.]

@@thecorporatepilotdad ok I got it with right click thanks!!

[@VoyaPilot]

I have everything installed correctly however when i select my approach it doesn't show me "vectors", any idea ?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Most approaches have vectors but a work around is to load the approach with any transition and place the final approach fix in magenta (direct) then enter the final approach course under “INTCP CRS” in the bottom right corner.

[@VoyaPilot]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thank you for your answer. The answer is actually that a cj4 working folder (older version) was still in mu community xD So now the real question is. Working title or AAu1 ?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@VoyaPilot delete the Working Title contents from your community folder. The old files will interfere with the new update.

[@VoyaPilot]

@@thecorporatepilotdad yes but do you have a preference? Which one do you think represents the real CJ4 better ? Thank you for all your help ^^

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@VoyaPilot the new version that is the new default CJ4.

[@raptor8me2]

How do you split the FMS!? I've been looking all over and can't figure it out 😅

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Just press another button on the other FMS along the top row of buttons. If unable to do so, check your community folder for old Working Title mods that may be conflicting with the new version. Assuming that’s what you meant by split. The real units can be operated individually by not having them synced.

[@ChasCo24]

Prior to AAU1, with the Working Title mod installed, I could import a Simbrief fightplan into the mcdu. I cannot find how to do this after the update. Is that functionality still available? Also, after the update, the aircraft is much more difficult to land. I also miss the Navigraph charts integration.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

SimBrief integration is no longer. In the real-world and in MSFS, I enter routes manually. With a little practice it goes quite fast. I landed the CJ4 a few minutes ago and liked how it landed. For me, it felt like there was less floating when touching down at ref speed. What difficulties did you experience in landing the CJ4?

[@ChasCo24]

@thecorporatepilotdad Landing at reference speed I am getting considerable float at flare and bounce at touchdown. My controls ( Honeycomb Alpha) are much more sensitive but I have not yet adjusted sensitivity in msfs.

[@lowrivera]

I don't understand why its called so many different things. FMC, FMS, MCDU, EFIS, AFCS, AFGS, ADC. Makes shit confusing.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

You are right but that’s aviation. Companies and government aviation agencies love abbreviations. The industry strives toward standardization but different companies have abbreviations for devices that do the same functions. The title includes FMC because people will search FMC even though it is an FMS in the CJ4.

[@adictivedesign]

Where is the squawk setup?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Tune page - bottom left corner.

[@biansanity]

Hi cap great video tutorial! but after this update I've tried to insert the flight plan through the FMS and request the IFR clearance to the MSFS ATC and they gave me clearance to climb to 10000ft. However after I passed the altitude restriction, they didn't gave me clearance to climb to cruise altitude. Is it possible to synchronize flight plan through FMS to MSFS ATC after this update?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

In-game ATC is turned off on my PC so I unfortunately do not have an answer. If you want a more realistic experience, try out VatSim.

[@biansanity]

@@thecorporatepilotdad do you have recommendation other than vatsim? Like using A.I same as Msfs ATC because I'm a beginner and still learning about aviation so I don't have courage to talk in the vatsim 😂

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@biansanity Everyone has to start somewhere. There are lots of videos on ATC communications. I still remember my first time talking on the radio on my first flight lesson many years ago. Everyone is afraid of making mistakes and sounding clueless, but everyone DOES make mistakes in the beginning. It's like learning a new language. Try this ... Look up Pilot 2 ATC - www.pilot2atc.com/

[@biansanity]

@@thecorporatepilotdad thank you very much captain, I'll start learn about ATC and build my confidence first before jump into vatsim network. I'll sub to your channel tysm!

[@deondreward2494]

can u use simbreif for this to?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Not currently. That functionality went away with AAU1.

[@deondreward2494]

Dam

[@deondreward2494]

Soo u got to make a flight plan using Navigraph chart

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@deondreward2494 you can use SimBrief and enter the points manually. In the past, SimBrief routes could be imported automatically and that is the feature that isn’t functional after AAU1. I misunderstood your question.

[@deondreward2494]

@@thecorporatepilotdad because i dont want to pay $10 a month for a subscription for nav chart lol

[@BPond7]

Without a real world ATC don’t we have to remove all discontinuities, regardless?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Unfortunately (I wish in-game ATC was better), yes.

[@BPond7]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I’d love a robust ATC, too. A little more hand-holding for my pea brain would ease a lot of frustrations! 🖖😀

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@BPond7 vatsim is great for the price (free) as is Pilot Edge (not free).

[@BPond7]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I know of vatsim, but am still far too much of a rookie to go that in-depth just yet. Hopefully one day! I appreciate the advice. 😎

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@BPond7 You will. Watch tutorials on the subject and then just jump in and do it. When learning to fly in the mid 90s there was no VatSim or other services. Myself and everyone else sounded worse than rookies on the radio the first time but it takes practice. Mistakes will be made and that's ok because it's part of the learning process.

[@barthvapour]

Poor tutorial, gives no indication of how to know what items go on which side. How do we tell the difference between an intersection and a jet intersection ?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

The video clearly states which items go on which side. Second, your exhibited lack of knowledge by asking the difference between an intersection and a jet intersection does not make this a poor tutorial.

[@FTStratLP]

Far the best tutorial on this subject I have seen so far.