Hiya folks! New and have a couple questions!

[rmacttu]

Alright guys, I'll admit that I'm a novice at best and don't understand all the terminology(maybe 60-70% of it) used both in the real world and the game.

[olderndirt]

Recalling from a previous life, wind speed less than 10 kts is not a factor in deciding the 'runway in use'.

[Brett_Henderson]

This stuff gets into ATC nuances that FSX just can't replicate...

That aside, there are too many variables to answer these questions in relationship to "realism".

For example.. A VOR approach under VFR conditions can be executed as a "circle to land".. meaning, ATC will still vector you per your original flight plan and original runway, and then allow you to land on the runway of your choice. Even under non-VFR conditions, if certain visibility minimums are met, ANY instrument approach can end up as a "circle to land".

[Brett_Henderson]

LOL @  "fly  in the ointment"   :D

[rmacttu]

[quote]This stuff gets into ATC nuances that FSX just can't replicate...

That aside, there are too many variables to answer these questions in relationship to "realism".

For example.. A VOR approach under VFR conditions can be executed as a "circle to land".. meaning, ATC will still vector you per your original flight plan and original runway, and then allow you to land on the runway of your choice. Even under non-VFR conditions, if certain visibility minimums are met, ANY instrument approach can end up as a "circle to land".

[olderndirt]

I come in from the East and could potentially just fly straight in but, am asked to come in from the West.

At a towered airport when the weather is at least VFR and traffic permits, an opposite direction landing can be approved.

[BFMF]

Sometimes in FSX, depending on the airport, after ATC tells you to expect a certain approach to a certain runway, you have the option of acknowledging, or requesting a new approach and/or a new runway. Keep in mind that if you request a new approach but not a new runway, you will still be told to land on the original runway.

[Layne.]

Can 'active' runways effect this aswell??

[rmacttu]

Sometimes in FSX, depending on the airport, after ATC tells you to expect a certain approach to a certain runway, you have the option of acknowledging, or requesting a new approach and/or a new runway. Keep in mind that if you request a new approach but not a new runway, you will still be told to land on the original runway.

This about sums up my confusion.  Somehow, I was confusing the assigned approach with the assigned runway...as in they were practically one in the same.  After reading a bit more in the FSX help files, I found I was poorly mistaken!

Thanks

[olderndirt]

Sometimes in FSX

My comments were based on real life so may or may not have related to either FSX or FS9.

[BFMF]

Sometimes in FSX, depending on the airport, after ATC tells you to expect a certain approach to a certain runway, you have the option of acknowledging, or requesting a new approach and/or a new runway. Keep in mind that if you request a new approach but not a new runway, you will still be told to land on the original runway.

This about sums up my confusion.

[Aiden327]

Thank you for asking this question, it now makes sense! I hope you don't mind if I extend it with another?

My question how do you know what runway your cleared to land at before its too late?

For Example (terminology is probably off, can't remember it all from memory) if I get "United 1134, turn left heading XXX and expect vectors ILS runway 31 vectors to final at KMDT".

I rather land runway 13 (becuase it is where the planes over my house are headed). Also runway 13 is longer in usable length as 31 has displaced take off only markings and ONLY runway 13 has a ILS Cat II/III aproach where 31 has standard ILS. That may not matter but the lighting system at the 13 side is much more complex with high intensity lights.

I am told "United 1134, Runway 13 ILS approach circle to land runway 31.

Now if I fly the radar vectors and am told,

"United 1134, cleared ILS runway 13 circle to land runway 31, turn left heading XXX descend and maintain 2200 until established contact tower on XXX.XX"

Everything is perfect right? I am following APP Hold down the glide slope of 13 setting flaps and managing the throttle when I contact tower and...

"United 1134, proceed straight in runway 13 circle to land 31." and then "United 1134, cleared to land 31"

I then call an embarrassing go-around and end up landing 31. Should I have landed 13 anyway? The only time FSX ever used runway 13 is during

[olderndirt]

With an ILS approach to one runway (31) with a circle to land on the other end (13), they must not be using (13) for departures otherwise there'd be a head-on situation.

[SeanTK]

In terms of operation in FSX:
Aiden, just go down on the glide slope of 13 or 31 at Harrisburg until you hit around 920ft (give or take, depends on the category of aircraft), then break off the approach and circle around in the prescribed direction to land on the designated runway. Don't declare a missed approach when you get down to the point that you have to break and circle, just do it.

[Aiden327]

That makes sense, the confusion is that for the few years I have lived here and been at the airport I rarely see any aircraft go to 31. FSX always uses 13 in IFR conditions, but