Can't Rely on my ILS

[zig]

I am new to this flight sim and am really having fun flying a 737 around the UK. ATC takes me into the  airport fine but sometimes I am hovering arounf trying to find the ILS vectors and usually end up landing blind. Is this common or am doing somthing wrong.  

[microlight]

Welcome, zig!

Landing one of those beasts is difficult, so here's what I do:

- use the map function to get the VOR, ATIS, ILS etc. references for your target airport, and put them on your kneeboard (F10)
- use ATIS to get a good pre-warning of which runway is in use for the target airport. Then you can set your ILS and approach course on the flight display
- approach the runway flightpath at an angle so that using APR, the localizer intercepts before the glideslope does (this means that the autopilot will follow both)
- use the correct approach speed, flap settings etc, and you should get down without too much of a problem

Good luck!

[jrpilot]

This is a very common question hre becasue when I was starting out i asked the same question....


You need to find the Navigation 1 radio and type in the ILS Nav. numbers(sorry for being so bare I cant think of the word) you can find these under map view, clicking on the airport, and looking at the runway....also you need to type the ILS Heading in the NAv. box on the Auto pilot and when you are cleared to land switch over the GPS switch to NAV..it seems long and difficult but with a few trys it will be no problem

[RFB]

Here is a tip:

Before taking off, write down the destination airport's critical navigation and information frequencies and ILS runways and their headings. It is a good habit also to keep your manual heading ticker on track with the GPS ticker (direction indicator) during flight. Makes it easier to transiston from AP to manual control when ATC says its time to decend or turn to approach your destination airport. Its also a good idea to pre enter these frequencies in your nav1+2 plus your com2 radio before taking off, as well as setting the ADF/NDB frequency.

I suppose you could add these steps to your pre approach check list. But to save time and frustration, I prep all these things prior to takeoff from the departure airport.

Soon you will develop a procedure that is comfortable for you to work with, and then adapt that to established procedures over time until your performing these tasks automatically. It can certianly be a furball of sorts trying to punch in ILS and headings while paying attention to ATC and executing their instructions while avoiding that AI Piper trying to cut in front of you on approach during dense fog at night with 30mph winds!

Isnt it funny that ATC will come over the radio in dense fog at 2,500 and say "Traffic Alert! Such and such airplane less than 1 mile at 12 o'clock, report them in sight"!!  Yet you know darn well you cant see squat much less that other guy seeing you, but you hear that other guy report back "have the traffic in sight" I guess ATC didnt look out the window! Or there are infrared goggles located at certian airport gift shops and I just have not found the right gift shop yet.

[zig]

Thanks for that. Now able to arrive at the terminal without my undercarrage caked in turf and grass.