little help with my final apparoach

[FSTipster]

Just one last question when i press the approach button...what other buttons should be on, like alt, y/d, hgd/nav etc?

Heading and Alt.

Once the Autopilot acquires each of them, it turns them off itself. Just make sure you have your NAV/GPS selector set to NAV, and that you press the APR button while the glideslope indicator is above you - it acquires the glideslope from above, not below.

[zcottovision]

You can ask as many questions as you like, that's why we're here!

Whenever you press the APR button, the ALT button will stay on for a minute, and then it will disengage itself as the aircraft descends. NAV should be off, and HDG will turn itself off.

I like to keep IAS (and Auto-Throttles) off, so that I can slow the plane down manually on the way to the runway, but I always keep the Yaw Damper (Y/D) on.

The BC (backcourse) and LVL (wing leveler) should be off, too), as well as the MACH button. Make sure the F/D (Flight Director) and the Autopilot are still on, though.

Then just make sure the Course setting is at the same heading as the runway you want to land on and you're all set...!

[Liam]

Thanks alot for all the hlep. I'll be trying it all out tomorrow, as i'm off to bed now...its rather late in the UK.

Hopefully this time tomorrow i'll be able to land.

btw, when using Auto pilot etc. is it alot more difficult to land a 747 than a 737 for example?

[zcottovision]

Yes, it is rather late....unfortunately some of us are supposedly revising for exams....!

It's not that difficult to land the 747 with the autopilot. Getting lined up is usually the hard part, and the ILS will do that for you. All you really have to do is flare it and put it down gently. Not difficult.....but flying it manually is a bit more challenging, you can feel the weight of it!

[Boris_G]

Why u just estblish urself on glideslope n locolizer n hit aproach button select the Vref speed n at flare at the beggining of the runway, or just descend at the rate where u will be like 20 or 30 ft away above the runway threshold n flare works nice too

[Liam]

I just landed almost perfectly at Heathrow with a 737...so all your help has worked...thanks alot.

[csnyfan]

Yes it pretty cool isn't it ? The guys on this board are the best - I'm still learning but with the tips I've learned here it makes the flying SO much fun -  

[Liam]

I'm getting quite good with landing the 737 now. And the learjet is very easy.

I tried on the 747 and got closer than i have done in the past, still crashed on the landing though .

[jas490]

hey liam-
i know you can find alot of great stuff on the web....but the book that came with fs2000 was great, i learned so much from that book and it explains basics of vfr or ifr flight, instrument landings etc.  see if you can pick one up on amazon or whatever for cheap....
-jason

[fisharno]

Hi guys. Welcome Liam.

Just to clarify, to file a IFR plan, you need to create the flight plan in the FLIGHT PLANNER. Either click the button when selecting your aircraft and starting point, or after you've already got that set, click FILES>FLIGHT PLANNER from the tool bar, and just follow the directions. When you save the flight, ATC guides you from the very beginning. Really cool.
Be careful following the ATC instructions to set you up for your approach. It can get quite busy adjusting the autopilot for altitude and heading. Personally, I find it much easier to disengage the AP at about the 60 mile mark, and fly the approach manually. It's good practice to learn your insturment functions, too.

Enjoy!

[Liam]

I've been flying the Learjet for the last day or so, I've got a saved flight just before Final approach in South Tenerife. Gives me good practic for the final approach and Landing. I've got my landing in it very good now...I'll probably try a bit more in the 737 later, 747 seems very hard though, the ILS didn't line my up perfectly.

[fisharno]

As long as you have a good understanding of the ILS system and you're comfortable using your nav insturments, you'll get better and better, in time.

Fantastic!!

[Liam]

Well I guess it's just "Practice makes perfect" then. In time i'll be able to land a 747 in my back garden.