Now where's that runway?...

[Saitek]

Well I just can't seem to get there.... I have an IFR flight in the Boeing 737... and I get directed to the airport, but not the runway.
ATC says this direction and then that direction and I get to the aiprort, but i'm not anywhere near alligned at the runway at all. I'm handed off in mid air, (not having a clue where I am), to the airport tower.
I thought ATC was supposed to have me precisely lined up for the runway.
Thanks
Ben

[wji]

Negative The last directive from APProach Contoller is: "Cleared  for the approach."

May i suggest studying:
http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/ilstutor.htm

Thanks to Ron Blehm  

bill

[garymbuska]

The problem is that the airport you are going to does not have a control tower. On airports like this atc will put you in the vincinty where you should be able to spot the run way. If you are having problems use you gps gauge or go to the flight map if you zoom in you can get a good idea on what heading to take to get you there.
Sometimes spot view will help if you have to just pause the flight go to spot view using your hat switch or key board look around the area you are at you should br able to spot it unless it is a grass field. They can be hard to spot But the GPS gauge should show it just uze the zoom in button. What I do is use my vor gauge to point in the direction of the airport that way i know what heading to take to get there.

[codered]

Visual approaches in IFR conditions are just that, visual.
If you do not have the runway in sight, then you have to go back to approach control.  They will do their best to line you up in the direction of the runway, but if the visibility is so bad, that you cannot see it, then you have to go around.  Real pilots would do the same thing.  It is up to you to find the runway.  ATC points you in the "general" direction, but it is your responsibilty to locate the runway and tell ATC,"...I have the runway in sight."  At that point they will turn you over to the tower.

While you are making your approach, look at the options in you communication list.  Pick the one that applies.

[Saitek]

Thanks guys...
I'll take a peak t that tutorial....
maybe a wee while though.. as I'm busy at the present.

Thanks

Ben