ILS Approaches

[bernardo]

I've just begun to practice and to improve on my ILS Approach skills...( Non existant before) So far I've manage a few (Very few) approaches; Have of course tried this with the starliner, but I'm confused as to the use of the radios in the Starliner cockpit and nav/gps switch.

So far I've learned the Approach only aligns me with the runway, No autodescent is available.
Can anyone explain all this to me in detail, Please

[Tom/CalClassic]

For ILS approaches, the NAV/GPS switch must be in the NAV position.

Hope this helps,

[guy]

To intercept the ILS

1) Nav/gps switch on nav position
2) set frequency of the ILS on Nav1
3) set APR on
3) intercept the Ils horizontally from an angle not greater 30°
4) intercept the Ils vertically from below
5) Interception speed should be about 130-140

Once interception is made (ALT and HDG go out) the plane will follow the localiser and also the glidepath.
Then regulate(reduce) the speed with powersetting to stay on the glidepath.

I hope i have not forgotten anything.

Guy

[emfrat]

Hi Bernardo -
Learning to hand-fly a controlled descent is one of the most satisfying things in flightsim. There is some good real-world info here:
www.aopa.org/pilot/features/ii_9805.html

Note the emphasis on preparation, and fine adjustment. You need to get a good 'feel' for the aircraft you are flying, so that you can set up the power and pitch trim settings to maintain the rate of descent you want.

Practice is everything. I began with the Eric Dantes Twin Bonanza, because I can set the AP to hold the heading while I concentrate on the glideslope. Next I found an ILS airfield with a clear approach over the sea - Newcastle UK (EGNT) is one. Set the wind as you want it. Then fly out to sea for about 30nm, alt 6000'. Set Alt Hold on the AP. Tune the ADF to the Newcastle NDB and NAV1 to the Newcastle VOR. Turn back to pick up the runway heading, and when you are established on the heading, set the AP to hold that.
Now tune NAV1 to the ILS, and when it 'comes alive' you should be a little below the glideslope. Where the needles cross (ie where the beam is) is where you should be - the dot in the centre of the dial is where you are.
Ease the throttle to bring the speed down to about 130-140kts and as you (the dot) intercept the glideslope (the needle), switch off Alt Hold. Let the plane settle, and adjust the throttle and trim to give about -700ft/min. Lower the wheels and learn what you need to do to, to stay on the g/s. Add a bit of flap and see what happens. Always remember, small adjustments, and give the plane time to respond. You can't throw it around like a BMX bike - just give it a gentle push in the direction you want it to go.

If you do this exercise a few times, you will soon learn to keep track of all the important parameters at the same time, so now you complicate things by switching off Heading Hold and do the exercise again. You will soon find the instruments are telling you what is going to happen (as opposed to telling you what just did happen) and you will be able to anticipate the plane's needs and adjust the controls to meet them.

Next thing you know, the VSI seems to stop working, and when you look out the window, you are on the runway ;D

Practice, Practice, Practice. Perfection is a lot of little things done well.

ATB
MikeW

[sunny9850]

IF you want to learn this properly why not employ one of the most famous certified flight instructors in the US....not to worry you already paid for his fees. Try the learning center in FS and you will see Rod Machado ready to teach you how to do this properly...in a C-172 it's much easier to learn than in the L-1649A.

Flying an ILS at 90 kts is a much easier thing than at 140 kts or more.

Once you have the basics down in the trainer...the Starliner depending on panel and AP will fly the full approach including the descent....but if you use the CalClassic AP you need to turn the center selector knob all the way to the right to couple both horizontal and vertical guidance to the NAV1 receiver.

Stefan

[bernardo]

;D
Hi all: Appreciate very much your assistance with this ILS business.
Just managed to land the Starliner ILS in the Island of Bornholm DK, RWY 11. Did come into approach a tad too fast but didn't miss the runway...That is managed to stop while still on it Didn't hear the LOC bips though...(?)...

Any way Sunny as you all say practice makes perfect...Still I wouldn't recommend any to sit on my right...As yet... Thanks a lot

Have heard from real pilots that Rods' ILS Lessons in the sim are just too difficult to complete, compared to real life ones in a simulator, any way the times I have taken Rods' ILS lessons he seems to get impatient with me and...try another time...

By the way where does one change the GPS/NAV buttoms? My radio stack only shows GPS switch.

Bernardo

[ashaman]

Apr 3, 2009 5:22:41 GMT -5 bernardo said:

By the way where does one change the GPS/NAV buttoms? My radio stack only shows GPS switch.

One GPS button is enough.

Pressing the GPS button on the Starliner, you'll see the button lighting up, that means you have engaged the GPS lateral navigation. Pressing the button again will make the button go gray and give the guidance to the VOR/ILS system.

Obviously, when you're trying to lock the instruments on an ILS or a VOR, the GPS button must be gray (disengaged).


PS
It's almost three year that I haven't used the GPS LNAV now... have almost forgot how it is. ;D

[bernardo]

Ashaman: yes I did notice it engaged and the plane did change heading

I'M just beggining with this part of FS, intrument navigation. Can't say I'm good at it... Back in the early 1980's I tried to get certified here in DK. But dumped miserably because of this...

So you can expect more questions from me...

Thanks: bernardo

[ashaman]

Apr 3, 2009 12:06:50 GMT -5 bernardo said:

Ashaman: yes I did notice it engaged and the plane did change heading

I'M just beggining with this part of FS, intrument navigation. Can't say I'm good at it... Back in the early 1980's I tried to get certified here in DK. But dumped miserably because of this...

So you can expect more questions from me...

Thanks: bernardo

Don't get downtrodden on the first sure to come problems, persevere and you'll be navigating with the best of us. I still remember when in FS I could not grasp how the VOR worked nor how to use it. It was a mystery to me. But even with my granite head (I can assure you that it's great as ballast), in the end I succeeded. If you have a heads a little more pliable than mine, you'll have an easier way, if not... you'll succeed anyway, if you apply yourself. ;D

Ask away.

[davidm]

Bernardo
I just tried an ILS approach with my L-1649 at KTOL (which I use as a practice field since there's not a lot of traffic). Anyway, My weight was around 122K, fuel evenly divided between all seven tanks. I flew at 150KIAS with 30" MP and 2200RPM. Made my downwind turn at that speed and went flaps 80 (make sure you push the stick forward a lot to keep the plane level, then add negative trim slowly to lessen pressure on the stick) I flew base at about 130KIAS and turned on final. as the horizontal needle approached center I lowered the gear, went full flaps (again forward stick pressure but not as much as the first time and adjust for level flight with negative trim). by the time I was done adjusting I throttled back to 24" MP and made final glide slope at about 700fpm. got the runway on center just past the big white rectangles that mark the touchdown point. Landed at about 120KIAS. It's a little bit of work but very satisfying. The advice given to me a while back was to be very gentle in all movements, give her time to respond, then let her do her thing. After awhile you'll be able to land without the autopilot, which is handy to know when it goes out to lunch.
DaveM