Catching the glideslope?

[alb469]

Have had problems getting under it to catch it.How far above the runways altitude is best at 25 nm out.

[Nexus]

Oh, on every approach chart the altitudes are in QNH, meaning height above the ocean (at least those I have )
So the glide-slope intercept altitude may be different depending on airport elevation.
However, be at 2000ft at 10 DME, cant go wrong with that on a regular ILS approach.

[Papa9571]

The big question is how fast are you flying when you start your approach?

I slow to 240 KIAS when I begin my letdown and keep it there until I get placed on final and have to contact the tower. This usually leaves me at 20 miles out and slightly under the glideslope. I then turn on the approach control and let it fly the approach.

Like I said most of the time it works. However there have been times when I have been placed on final as afr out as 60 miles and have had to declare a missed approach.

Try this. Turn on the "highway in the sky" by turining on the visual flight path option. This will give you a reference and also give you a visual ILS highway to follow. Then do your ILS approaches and see where the glideslope is. That will help you get into the proper position to fly an ILS approach.

Good luck and have fun

[beefhole]

You'll generally catch the ILS something like 10nm out at anywhere between 1,500' to 3,000' AGL. (at least that's what I've learned from FS ATC, and it's worked)

Papa, if you're put on final that far out, greatly decrease your descent rate and fly a GPS approach until ILS intercept, there's no reason to go MA.

[vololiberista]

Hi,
Yes, generally one intercepts the glideslope and the localiser from 10nm distance from the threshold.

The actual altitude depends on the terrain in the vicinity of the airport, but it is never higher than 3000ft QNH at 10nm distance. Frequently it is lower eg London Heathrow the intercept altitude is 2,500 ft QNH at 10nm. Bear in mind that below 3000ft one intercepts the glide slope much closer to the threshold than at 3000ft. for example at Heathrow one intercepts the localiser at 10nm at 2500ft QNH then the glide slope at approx 8nm. At this point your AP must be locked on to the  LOC beam otherwise you have a lot of work.

Remember the lower you intercept the localiser the less time the AP has to get it right and the less time you have to slow the a/c down to threshold speed.

Happy Landings,
Vololiberista

[G-EORGE]

I downloaded a 737 checklist and it recommends 210kias for intercepcting localiser beam...

[alb469]

Thanks all. My speed is generally about 200 knots when the G/S is captured with 1 0r 2 notches down on flaps. We have also been experimenting with an autoland system that works most of the time. We just need more practice. From the time you are locked on to the ILS it is strictly hands off until it is time to taxi. Has anyone else tried it out?

[Papa9571]

Yes I have. It works as advertised but IMHO it doesent properly flare the aircraft prior to touchdown.

And I cant get used to everything being done for me during the landing and rollout.

Oh well.....