question about ILS numbers

[Jaybe]

ILS Precision Approach has two components,,localiser and glide slope.. A non precision approach has localiser but no glide slope. On most airports in fs2002 if you maintain 3000 ft at 8 miles or so out and lined up with localiser that will put you underneath the glide slope for good capture. When you intercept glide slope the AP will disengage the ALT Hold just as the localiser intercept disengaged the HDG Hold on capture.

[rlrcom]

Are you saying you HAVE to already have the LOC engaged before engaging APR in order to properly lock onto the glideslope? Or are you saying that some airports only have localizer but no approach/glideslope?

[j_g_parker]

Hi all.  ILS does NOT guarantee GS or DME.  Different runways are rated for different levels of precision.  Some have only localizers, some LOC/GS and some  LOC/GS/DME.  In real life, runways also vary in allowed approaches:  Some have approaches published that guide you in by NDB or VOR, some with GPS, some with ILS.  Many have all of these at once, and which one you follow depends on your certification, aircraft class, and equipment, weather, etc.  ILS/GS/DME is obviously the most precise and allows approaches in more inclement weather.  Some runways with ILS capability have a NDB as the outer marker, to assist with lining up (turning to the IAP) but the NDB provides only crude Horizontal Deviation information obviously.  VORs can provide broad navigational information (how to get to the airport) and occasionally are used approaches, but more often than not they are not on the runway approach (some can be a mile away or more).  If you are using a NBD/VOR approach your are not going to be using autopilot. You are going to approach visually.  Typically the only need to use a VOR on approach is for distance (if it has DME or TAC) when there is no ILS, but then you need to consider your vertical as well as horizontal height, and the offset of the VOR from the runway.  Autopilot should normally be disengaged at Decision height and the rest flown by hand.  Only an ILS can be locked for APPR and vertical guidance will only be provided if it also has a GS. Also, the APPR hold nornally only works if you intercept it from below.   Don't know anything about a widespread problem with the ILS alignment in FS2002. I do not have problems usually.  A few airports do have misaligned ILS due to programming errors, but these are rare  (and a few have them real life too, like KTVL, Lake Tahoe ).  

A good practice is to review the available approaches before taking off by reading the various approach charts.  I get mine from http://www.clearanceunlimited.com.  To learn how to read the charts there are some good free tutorials at some of the simulator magazines (PC Aviator I think, or PC PILOT) sites, and I find the tutorial as the Jeppeson web site helpful.