Approach

[intheair_28]

I'm very familiar with FS2004, but I'm still not sure about all of the instruments and features of the cockpit. How do you land on autopilot, where it lands the plane for you? I prefer manual landings, but I've always wanted to see was the autopilot landing is like.

[StatusQuo1991]

Yea that intrests me as well. I also prefer manual landings but i have no idea how to land automatically. i had no idea u could in FS9! Soz im no help.

[Iwannabeapilot]

How do you land on autopilot, where it lands the plane for you?

Autoland is not initially modelled in FS9, however you can do an approach on autopilot. To do this simply tune the ILS frequency of the runway you intend to land on into the NAV1 radio, hit the approach hold button on the autopilot and then turn on the autopilot. But you'll have to disengage approach hold mode at short finals since it won't land the aircraft for you.  ;) There are some payware aircraft available that have autoland such as the PMDG 747.

[BFMF]

What's the point in flying the flightsim if the computer does absolutely everything for you? What's the fun in that....?

[beaky]

There are very few aircraft in real life that can go all the way to the runway on autopilot alone, and that is usually reserved for extremely poor-visibilty approaches...
The only model I know of for MSFS that can do it is Maltby's stunning VC10, available right here at the V.  There may be others... I don't know.

It autolands quite nicely, but the autopilot is not what you might be used to: very old and very English. But I am not much of a jet jockey and I did fine with it, so anybody can.


In the end, though, I agree with Esselbach- other than the novelty of doing it once, what's the fun in letting the computer do all the flying?

[WebbPA]

There is an addon gauge that will perform a fully automated landing.  Download FS2004/FS2002 Autoland Gauge Version 1 here (about halfway down the page).  You will need to add the gauge to each panel.

I installed it on few aircraft (props and jets) and it works perfectly.  It's fun to watch it work but I don't use it often.  It makes things a little too easy.

From the manual:

[quote]Click on the autoland icon, which will glow green. From this point until you taxi off the
runway, the operation is fully hands-off and completely automated. As you make the
approach, the gauge:

Sets the approach altitude for 3,500 feet AGL. The gauge tracks the plane

[intheair_28]

I tried downloading the program, and I added the right files to the different panels, but it didn't work.

[HuskyLuver]

I believe it is claimed that the Bonanza A36 by Dreamfleet will autoland, even though I have it I have never tried it  :-/

[raisen1964]

As mentioned above the excellent Maltby VC-10, the PMDG 744 and 738 packages and the Level-D 762 are all CAT III autoland capable. The PSS Concorde might be, I can't remember. The specifics of how to make use of the facility vary with the aircraft involved. I have occasionally run real world weather on longish flights with all of the above, and when the weather got silly, just at the worse concievable moment, the autopilot saved a missed approach and much quick revision of the correct go-around procedures.

The systems are on the aircraft concerned and available in the relevant models... I prefer to hand fly, but after X number of hours of successful navigation, I'm not going to turn down the assistance of such fine technology

[vololiberista]

As regards autoland and ILS
Firstly autoland in real life is not fitted to every aeroplane per se. But most of the relevant sim models reflect its use. The VC10 being a superb example.
Many people here boast how good they are at a visual approach and landing in a big jet. In practice it is somewhat different. First of all the difference between real flying and sim flying is as diverse as the difference between playing a formula one racing game and doing the real thing!!
Also there are the regulations to consider. If you are for example flying into London Heathrow it is assumed you will make an ILS approach. One can make a request (as in the sim) for a visual approach but this would be granted only if (a) there is little or no conflicting traffic (which at EGLL is RARE!!) AND the weather is CAVOK.
ATC at Heathrow would normally vector you to establish on the localiser at about 10-13 DME. At that distance unless the weather is more than CAVOK the rwy will be difficult to distinguish and as there are usually 5 to 6 a/c on the glide slope at any one time it would be quite dangerous to attempt a visual approach unless it was flown with extreme accuracy. If for example a problem arose which resulted in strawberry jam and the subsequent investigation discovered that the AP had been turned off then you would never fly again (assuming you survived the accident).
Of course visual approaches are a neccessary part of the ATPL qualification. So in the sim when given your vectors to finals select "stand by" and request a visual approach (But do it ONLY when the weather is CAVOK) otherwise it is quite unrealistic.
Remember all you FAA PPL's that your qualification is invalid in the UK!!!!!!
Vololiberista