Usually I start by seeing what PXs I'll be carrying, normally a random number, then I go to the CP of the Q400 and input the PXs, checking the W&B for load distribution CofG etc.  When I'm happy the Q400 is loaded correctly I take down the ZFM then onto Simbrief.  Here I input the PX's ZFM and duration of the flight, next comes the route sometimes I get one automatically appear in the route box, at other times I use routefinder or real world flightplan database, once the route has been set I wait for the dispatch.  This will be when I check the WX and any sigWX enroute etc, this alone can take me some time, I always remember 'know the sky in which you fly' so I love all things weather.  From the dispatch file I go back to the CP and input the fuel and recheck W&B etc.  The best bit of all this is I've not even started FSX yet!  All of this, not forgetting checklists, etc takes me around  45mins to 1 hour and sometimes longer if there are problems with FP's or WX etc.  Now my question is; how long do you guys take...am I OTT???...... my wife thinks so

I've got it down to about 20 mins now.

   
• Sort out the route - NATS SRD & vRoute - Export into Docs/FSX Files ready for EFB.
• Charts up on the laptop.
• Route into Simbrief for the fuel load.
• MJC84 Control Panel for Weight/Balance, ZFW & TOW
• Fire up ASE, note weather, wind & pressure for dep & arr - figure out rwy and SID / STAR
• Fire up FSX, make a brew while it loads  - set up at stand, set time to sched dep -15 mins
• Set up the Dash, MFD, brakes, AC Pwr on, open the doors.
• Load the fuel and load from the control panel.
• Start EFB and load plan, SID & STAR
• Start ICS ACARS, select & begin flight.
• Input flightplan in FMC, set the QNH & speeds.
• Prestart - set ACARS to Off Blocks.

That usually leaves about 5 mins at the gate to think the departure through and get another brew / beer.

For me preflight prep takes around 15-20 minutes, which consists of getting together a route, weather, charts and fuel/payload. Once in the sim I usually assume it's my first flight with the aircraft so I'll do the full set of checklists which takes about 20 minutes, including programming the FMS (I only do Captain/PF flows as FS2Crew does the rest). Overall, it's about 45 minutes from starting pre-flight prep to taxi once I've waited for the sim to load etc.

Takes me about an hour generally.

   
• Decide on route/callsign
• Generate VATSIM flightplan
• Check weather, ATC Online
• Load FS
• Load TOPCAT
• Load ActiveSky and FS RealTime
• Start flight "cold and dark"
• Connect to VATSIM
• Load aircraft using TOPCAT
• Setup aircraft using checklists
• Call for clearance
• Generate takeoff data

Something along those lines anyway!

It's an interesting topic you've raised Steve and it's great to see the different approaches we each take to arrive at a point in time when we are ready to push back from the stand and get airborne.

On the very rare occasion when time permits I'll do a thorough pre-flight and spend around 45 minutes to an hour however my usual "abbreviated" pre-flight is similar to Graham's and takes around 20 minutes. It generally goes like this....

   
• On my laptop I'll first start Active Sky Next so it downloads the current weather for use with PFPX (and FSX later). At the same time I'll start FSX on my PC.
• Next comes PFPX where I choose a flight & payload, plan the route (including SIDS & STARS), plan the alternate and check the fuel & weights.
• Load up the relevant charts and cross check the SIDS and STARS suggested from PFPX.
• Once happy with the results I then export the flight plan to load up in Active Sky Next and the JS41 when flying that. I also print a PDF of the Flight Briefing Package which I save to Dropbox so I can load on my iPad and use during flight.
• In FSX I prepare the aircraft for departure following the relevant flows and checklists along with loading the payload & fuel.
• Start the ACARS on my laptop.
• Finally push back and engine start.

That's about it. Things usually go smoothly following this however there is the odd occasion when it's late and I'm tired that I miss a small detail and bugger something up.

Cheers,
Serge