Review of Final Approach, 2000 Edition

Just Flight's Final Approach, 2000 Edition
By Iair Arcavi (31 May 2000)

Final Approach 2000 is a Windows-based approach chart atlas and designer. What this means is that one can create approach and departure charts, and also view and print charts of over 4300 included in the program. Final Approach, a program developed by Georges Lorsche, has recently been released in its 2000 version. This new version includes, other than the above mentioned, the possibility to have the program interact with Microsoft's Flight Simulator (from version 5 and up), 747 PS1 and Fly! The new version comes with an interactive tutorial as well, for those who wish to learn how to read and use approach plates.

The CD comes complete with a high quality manual, which explains how to install and use the program. The program itself is quite simple to install and use.

The CD includes over 4300 approach and departure charts (4440 charts to be exact) of airports around the world. These can be loaded either from the CD or from zip files on one's hard disk. A search option is included to help find a specific chart. The charts themselves are very clear and easy to read. They include many details found in real approach plates, and consist of both a plan view and a profile view.

Creating a chart couldn't be easier. With only a few mouse clicks, one can place runways, approach beams, VORs, intersections, obstructions and more, anywhere on the map. All of these can be customized easily and creating a full chart can be finished in less than 15 minutes!

Like I mentioned before, this program can interact with a number of flight simulators. Once a chart is loaded, one can ask to be positioned either at the airport or at one of the navaids around it. A "flight" or "situation" file is then created, which can be loaded from within the flight simulator. This is very helpful for practicing approaches, without having to takeoff from the airport first.

A very nice addition to this program is the approach tutorial. With this utility one can learn how to fly an ILS, VOR or NDB approach. Also included is a tutorial on how to read approach plates. The landing tutorials include pictures, videos and text, which combine to become a very helpful learning utility.

In conclusion, I would recommend this program to anyone looking for a realistic approach and departure chart viewer and creator. Not only does it include thousands of charts, new charts can be made easily and can be shared over the Net. The tutorial is an added plus, which makes this program suited for both professionals and beginners.

Iair Arcavi
arcavi@isdn.net.il

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