non-ILS Landing

[Nav]

erhard, that's all good advice - particularly doing the lessons, and saving a practice flight.  A few other things worth mentioning:-

1. In normal flight, you would expect to use the stick to climb and descend, the throttle to adjust the speed.  On a landing approach these controls are REVERSED.  If the speed is too high or too low, raise or lower the nose a touch; if the rate of descent is too high or too low (500 feet per minute or so is what you need) add or reduce power.

2.  Trim is very important.  If you find that you are having to hold the nose high or low with the stick, adjust the trim - after a while, provided you've got the approach speed and the rate of descent right, you should be able to trim the aeroplane pretty well 'hands off', needing only the occasional adjustment.

3.  One of the reasons that practice is essential is that your eye needs 'training' in judging the approach in two dimensions - height and distance.  When practising, at first, set the ILS up anyway, even though you're not going to use it.  Then click on 'Aircraft/'Visual Flight Path/Rectangles'.  You'll find the correct glidepath all set out for you in red squares on the windscreen.  Then practise getting the pitch, power, and trim right and you'll soon be 'on your way'.

4.  Come to think of it, with a strange aeroplane, it's not a bad idea to fly an ILS approach anyway, first off, and mainly watch the instruments.  That'll give you a pretty good idea of the correct power settings, rate of descent, and nose position for that model, help when you start landing VFR.

[logjam]

Hmmm. Basically you will find that your power settings adjust lift. ie low power setting = descent. High power setting = climb. Your cruise power setting will depend on all up weight, desired airspeed and economy. Now, use the elevator input be it stick or yoke to adjust airspeed, be it on the climb, cruise or descent. Use the trim to maintain airspeed. Please, please, please go through the flight lessons starting with lesson #1 "Straight and Level flight."

[vohy]

[quote]
if there are the VASIs on the left of the runway, keep them to two red, two white and bring it down nice and easy,

[commoner]

Hi Vohy...Never noticed that row of

[MadDriver]

I always found lining up with the runway was the hardest part of landing for me in a commercial jet.  It took me a while, but now I can land any aircraft basically, although those 747s give me a rough time.  I think he just needs to practice more, and take the time to learn.

[krylite]

I can pretty much land safely when locked on the glideslope in a jetliner.  When not on VASI it's a bit harder and I try to adjust last minute when I should probably go around landing safely 90% of the time. (lke when diving down into overcast 500 to ground; i didn't set it, had real time weather on, and a cloud just blanketed the entire airport near the ground.)

Sometimes with an unrefined addon jet, the panels and controls don't correspond well. Like flaps above 15 degrees becomes way too much and the jetliner sinks below the glideslope too fast. Then I had to stick to 15 degrees far longer than the MS 747 or 737 to make it to the runway. Anyone had the same problem with suggestions?

[hbshawaii]

Hey ErHard,

I agree with everything that has been posted on this.  Here's my observation:

Since most of us mere mortals don't have the flight time or wherewithall to get to sit in a big jet, the slogan "as good as it gets" applies.  It's tough to land big jets using a simulator without accumulated skill.  It's REALLY hard to land a big jet without using the aid of ILS.  There is just too much that has to happen really fast.

I always likenened it to controlling a falling rock in 3 dimensions.  Thankfully, big jets when configured for landing retain lift.  I have found, through my own inexperience that trying to land a big jet without benefit of an autopiloted ILS assist is beyond my ability.  

I have discovered that in FS2004, using autopilot ILS lines you up on the centerline using flight dynamics I can't seem to recreate safely on my own.  Trying to line up the runway manually at low speed with approach settings prove  sluggish at best and usually end in disaster.  I have enough to think about just controlling the descent and touchdown.  

I would like certified big jet pilots to weigh in on this.

I guess I'm saying to avoid non-ILS runways until you get the big jet landing procedure wired.

Standing by for comments...

[Brute]

I myself find it easier to land a 777 on a non-ILS runway if I land on a ILS runway , I end up kicking myself as to why I can't keep everything perfect  :( I can however keep the VASI lights red x2 and white x2 but thats my hang up....post complete...

[Foxtrot Sport]

Hey,

Since I am too lazy to really learn an ILS landing in a heavy, I have become quite good that those considering I will fly a heavy 60 % of the time.  And all the help I need is that VASI on the side.  

Not to sound like I am better than everyone, becuase I asure you, I am not.

-HF  ;D

[Nav]

I'm not boasting either - but, from long practice, I can now land any aeroplane on FS2004 visually.