Airport or Landing strip recognition

[kenuck]

As a newbie I havnt yet taught myself how to use the GPS system,s, At present I use the "Map" to locate my airport for landing, Im wondering if there is a method of making the "Red" and the "White" airport sysmbols more recognizeable from greater distances and altitudes. ??  TIA

[brett]

As far as I know, all the airports will show up at 10 miles zoom level in the GPS. As you zoom out the smaller airports will disappear and only the larger airports will  show up. Otherwise the screen would be filled with to many airports.

It"s OK to use the map, I do. I do try to plan my flights using the map before hand and write everything I need on a pad, sort of my own knee board, also learn to use the flight planner. I list the name of the airport and it's ICAO code and also the runways and their ILS and HDG info. In a pinch I will use the map during the flight, real pilots do. It would also be a good idea to read up on how to use the Direct to option on the GPS. You can also read this thread http://205.252.250.26/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaB ... 1305552441 for more info on using the GPS and also the Learning Center in FSX. It's confusing at first but gets easier if you take it one step at a time, don't try to read it cover to cover. You will find that most airport information is only given for a small radius around your plane, even using ATC for airports further from you only goes out so far.

[kenuck]

Thanks much for the input Bret, I will get round to doing the navigational "thing" as you say, a bit at a time, I didnt know about the 10 miles out that you pointed out, so i guess (using the map) you have to get the runway direction lined up well in advance of the glide slope, ( or as near to it as possible) thanks again

[Solid]

Thanks much for the input Bret, I will get round to doing the navigational "thing" as you say, a bit at a time, I didnt know about the 10 miles out that you pointed out, so i guess (using the map) you have to get the runway direction lined up well in advance of the glide slope, ( or as near to it as possible) thanks again

Learn to use your VOR , which is very easy, and a new world will open up for you then get into the insides of the GPS. VOR navigation is mandatory to enjoy the sim at the most.....youtube has a lot of Tutorials.

[kenuck]

Thanks for the "solid" advice, that does sound the way to go, using the maps is ok, but can be "iffy" after a good flight then a screwed up landing cos the strip dont come into vision until it nearly to late, but thanks again

[jlab58]

one way to avoid screwing your whole flight by a bad landing is, press the registered key on approach, so if you mess up the landing you can retry again, an again, an again,  well you get the point!

[EVVFCX]

Hi, try over flying the field your going to land at first then come around for the approach, otherwise you may find that on finals the too tall tree that you didn't see makes it's appearence, depends on your graphics settings for the radius of the graphics being drawn.

Years ago I used to buy old air nav maps at the airshows, the VORS were still valid and were very useful, this was in the days before gps came into the pc based sims.

I keep having argument at work regarding using vors or just reling on the gps, I'm only just learning how to use the gps, hadnt bothered before.

[kenuck]

Indeed, very interesting remarks and idea,s, the "fly over" idea Ive adopted on lots of occasions, the thing is if you go too far past the field you gain nothing cos the darned thing dissapears again  hahahaha, im inerested in what jlab 58 mentioned, what is the 'registered" key ?

[jlab58]

i'm sorry, in english it's probably called : save key. it is ,shift + :, at least on pc. it open a window where you save your flight at this moment. very convinient to retry those horrible landings.

[kenuck]

OK thanks, you can bet I,ll be using it   Cheers

[brett]

I don't know what version you are running but completing or at least reading the info for the student and private pilot certificate's will give you alot of basic navigational information for VFR flight. It can be found in FSX's Learning Center under Lessons. With learning the basics for flying to a VOR or NDB (easier than you think) you will find your flying experience increase tenfold on the enjoyment scale. Learning how to use the GPS, priceless.

[EVVFCX]

Hi Kenuck,

On the loosing site of the airport part, as you pass the airport use the timer, lets 2 mins then do standard rate turn left or right, flight exactly opposite direction if you can to the runway, watch for the threshold being at 45 deg backwards from your plane then begin turn back again, very easy especially if the airport in question has ils, with gps on just fly into the 'green arrow'

I do this a lot, very low level in fog, work fine.
Practice at an airport you know well.

You could also do the .pear drop. approach from opposite end of the runway.

If you have fs2004, look at the instrument check ride, you can edit that flight and do it without the instructor.

regards

Steve