Simviation Forums

Guys I have been flying the Flight Simulator for years but never really learn what ILS approach is. NOw that I had read it up but I still don't really understand how it works. I really need some guidence here, hoping those who are well-verserd can help me.

Firstly I use the GPS to navigate me to my desination, upon reaching the airport say 30NM away, what should I start to do?

Tune in to the VOR station at certain freqency?? on NAV1 or NAV2 ?? what are the steps?

How would I know am I heading the right ans straight approach to the runway??

I am really confused...Can you guys help me??
I been reading abt ILS, I am getting more and more confused everytime I read from diff website.. hah.

So I need to know VOR navigation before I can use ILS approach??

Thank You for spending time to read my prob.
Hope that you guys can teach me and giude me..

I would want to start off with the Cessna 172SP.

Thank you!!!

I'm sorry,but I can give you examples for C208 due to that C172 doesn't have so clear gauges for ILS.

This flight is to the EFTP I have looked earlier to frequencies from FS2004 map.Easiest way is to look from GPS when you are in the ILS fork or coming to it and then start the approach.I have tuned in to NAV1 the ILS frequence 109.70 and to the NAV2 the VOR frequence 116.20 for use of the DME to give distance and of course changed the DME gauge to use NAV2 frequence.

And then we can go to the actual ILS approach in C208 you will see below the attitude gauge the gauge with "moving center" you will have to change the Course OBS from it to same direction than ILS Runway (in EFTP it would be 239) the basic of the ILS approach is that gauge you will just have to get the "moving center" to the same line than the arrow so it will look like a full arrow and if you will not have so good visual sight that you would see the PAPI lights you can use the small arrows on side of the gauge to get the right glideslope,the arrows must be at the center of the gauge that the slideslope is correct.Hopefully this helps

Makes a nice change, siron - a lot of people on here can't land WITHOUT it!

OK, step by step -

1.

Thank You Nav for your detailes explaination and instruction. I will try to follow closely to your guide.

But to answer my question, we don't have to know the VOR navigation to use ILS right??

Also when you said make sure its on NAV and not GPS, I dun get what you mean from this. As in where do I set this option?

Also call up the map once ATC cleared me on say RW02L, okay so I will look at that Airport on the GPS nearest airport list and look at the freq on 02L right? Then I input that freq to NAV1 radio,  making sure I click on NAV1 to green, right? Sorry I sound abit confusing here but that what I see....Anyway I can use A/P to land completely in ILS??

Anyway I had ordered the FS2004 stragery and tips books, hope from there I can get more info.

Hope you guys can continue to guide me...

Thank You.

siron, ILS is a separate system, based at the airport.  Not VOR.  It uses the VOR dial, that's all.

About GPS, you said that you use GPS for navigation.  That means that you will have turned on 'GPS' (switch on the panel at top right in the Cessna, marked NAV at the top, GPS below).  Click it 'up' for NAV.

To get the frequency etc., click on the Map icon, not the GPS one. Bottom of the Cessna panel, looks like a 'star'.  The map is much clearer, and you can enlarge it.

Yes, just set the frequency on VOR1 on the autopilot panel.  I think that, on the Cessna, you set it on 'standby' and then click it across to 'active'.

The ILS is an approach aid, not an 'autoland' one.  You can achieve some sort of landing with it, but it will be more like a 'controlled crash'.  Much better to switch it off when you are close, and land visual.  

How have you been landing up to now?  

[quote]siron, ILS is a separate system, based at the airport.

Nav you said..... "If you are on autopilot, leave the heading and altitude holds on - but ALSO press the 'NAV' button."

True, cuz on A/P I dun think I can hold the ATTIDUE switch and the NAV on...only one. So appr on?? hmmm. ANyway I think I kinda master what ILS is abt!! I did it on a 737 no prob, but always have prob maintance the localizer and glide slope still!! I guess need more practices huh?  

I guess or correct me if I am wrong,  To have it good, we should start our planning way ahead of the final approach, like say 20 NM away try to fly in line with the runway direction, maybe set it on A/P ? upon 6-7NM off A/P and  by then we should maintain a good ILS approach already...can say that?

One thing, what is a good Altitide to maintain while on A/P ??


Man...I think I am in love with ILS landing!! hehe I tried fogged in and do ILS but failed!! haha

Dead right, commoner, thanks, edited.

[quote]Dead right, commoner, thanks, edited.

Right siron...all airports don't have ILS. My tip is to go to an airport where they have ILS on the one runway and just from one end..and practice there 'til your skills improve. My "home" airport is Humberside UK( EGNJ). and has just the set up you need for practicing ILS approaches (and ILS back course approaches too but that's something else) There are loads of aifields like this. If you get around New York or

So can I say that ILS approahes are only use when the visibility is poor? If its a fine weather, usually real pilots use a visual approach??

Hmmmmmm Thanks!

Repeated question, did anyone of you get the book " Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 Stragegy and guide book?? Is it a good book??

Cheers...

No siron.."real" pilots use ILS all the time....but they just say a little prayer to it when the visbility is down to zero  ;D  Saw that book only yesterday and decided to buy it when I next go past the store...let you know then what I think....... I bought the 2002 version which I found very helpful at the time.....commoner

[quote]
No siron.."real" pilots use ILS all the time....but they just say a little prayer to it when the visbility is down to zero

I'd say pro pilots use ILS, Autopilot and any other help they can get all the time yes.............makes sense don't yer think? I don't knock the AP off 'til just before the flare....Couldn't say for military pilots..... better ask the CFS lads 'bout that