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ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 1:35 pm
by wyodeacon
I've been doing ILS approaches and would like to try it on autopilot but haven't figured out how to do it.  Could someone write down the steps you would take to set up an autopilot ILS approach in say a 757?  Thanks

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 2:08 pm
by MadWings
Don't forget to check the F.A.Q.! There are useful links.

Could someone write down the steps [...] to set up an autopilot ILS approach [...]

Where's the fun in that? Anyway, it's already thoroughly described in this thread (for a B737 though):
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1111322151
I don't fly the big jets a lot, but I guess, once you've done it in a 737, you'll figure out how to do it in a 757, too.

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Mon May 14, 2007 2:09 pm
by wyodeacon
Don't forget to check the F.A.Q.! There are useful links.

Could someone write down the steps [...] to set up an autopilot ILS approach [...]

Where's the fun in that? Anyway, it's already thoroughly described in this thread (for a B737 though):
http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1111322151
I don't fly the big jets a lot, but I guess, once you've done it in a 737, you'll figure out how to do it in a 757, too.


Sorry.  I did a search but didn't think of the FAQ's.  Thanks for the response.

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 2:59 pm
by Conan Edogawa
I can't recommend you landing with the autopilot because the computer is too bad at it! ;D ;D ;D


You'll come in too high or too low...

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:02 pm
by wyodeacon
I can't recommend you landing with the autopilot because the computer is too bad at it! ;D ;D ;D


You'll come in too high or too low...


I don't want to land with the autopilot.  I just want to make the approach and then shut off the AP maybe 2-3 hundred feet above the runway.

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:09 pm
by Conan Edogawa
Okay.

I think as a help you can do that.

When you do an ILS-Approach, it's a must to continue visually when you're on MD 200ft o.g..

How you do the approach doesn't matter, the AP is just too bad to do it (IMO)...

Give it a try, but you'll be better than the AP after good practise (very fast) ;)

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:16 pm
by Jakemaster
It is very simple.  First of all, I strongly suggest you do it while flying an ATC guided IFR flightplan.  When you are told your approach, open the GPS.

Click on PROC
Hit enter on Select Approach
Scroll to the assigned approach
Click Enter
Activate Approach, Enter (you do not have to activate it now nor do you ever have to activate it, I usually activate it because the GPS will give me the distance and time to the localizer)

Once youve done this, click the big wheel right and it will take you to an information page for the airport.
Click the little wheel left to get to a list of frequencies and scroll down until you find the ILS frequency that you need

Enter the frequency into NAV1 and turn on the audio for NAV1 and BCN.  You don't have to turn on the audio but I find it helpful to know when the localizer comes alive and if the ILS has beacons the BCN will allow you to hear them.

Now make sure you are in NAV mode on NAV/GPS.  When the ATC tells you "...cleared for ILS rwy XX Approach" follow their instructions and look at your MFD and see if the Glideslope is active.  I will assume that regardless the VOR is alive.  If the glideslope is active press the Approach button on the AP and then you can sit back and let the plane do the work.  The plane will hold the current heading set to HDG Hold until it takes over for the approach and will hold altitude until it is on the glideslope.  

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2007 4:32 pm
by beaky
I suppose I can recommend using the AP to intercept the localizer and get you lined up, but don't be afraid to try to fly the ILS glideslope by hand... it's not that hard.
In fact, you're better off getting a feel for hand-flying the approach than to disconnect the AP at the last minute and have mere seconds to resume control, esp. in a crosswind.

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:25 am
by -Crossfire-
Now make sure you are in NAV mode on NAV/GPS.  When the ATC tells you "...cleared for ILS rwy XX Approach" follow their instructions and look at your MFD and see if the Glideslope is active.  I will assume that regardless the VOR is alive.


I think you mean Localizer instead of VOR. They're based off localizers and glideslopes, not a VOR  ;)

Re: ILS approach using Autopilot

PostPosted: Wed May 16, 2007 8:45 pm
by Jakemaster
Now make sure you are in NAV mode on NAV/GPS.  When the ATC tells you "...cleared for ILS rwy XX Approach" follow their instructions and look at your MFD and see if the Glideslope is active.  I will assume that regardless the VOR is alive.


I think you mean Localizer instead of VOR. They're based off localizers and glideslopes, not a VOR  ;)


Yes sir...my mistake ::)