ILS landings

[Ace_437]

So I've got the basics down such as dialing in the ILS frequency and lining up for the landing. However when I switch the autopilot to Approach it always seems to screw up my lining with the runway by a few degrees or so. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Oh, and I'm doing it in the CS C-130, but have noticed the same thing in the stock aircraft. I guess I'm expecting it to basically land the plane for me, with not much interaction on my part. Is this how it's supposed to work?

Anyone got a good walkthrough?

[flightfreak777]

You have the right course set in there? also make sure you have it set on NAV not GPS.

Here is similar post: http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?t=184189

[MongooseMike]

So I've got the basics down such as dialing in the ILS frequency and lining up for the landing. However when I switch the autopilot to Approach it always seems to screw up my lining with the runway by a few degrees or so. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Oh, and I'm doing it in the CS C-130, but have noticed the same thing in the stock aircraft. I guess I'm expecting it to basically land the plane for me, with not much interaction on my part. Is this how it's supposed to work?

Anyone got a good walkthrough?

It will basically land the aircraft for you with not much interaction until you are pretty close to the runway. Auto land isn't available, Auto Approach is.
When you lock in the approach button the aircraft may jig and jag a little to get on the precise heading. It may look like your off center but if you've done everything right, you'll be okay, you don't say whether or not you end up landing or not. Beware that some runways are offset a few degrees. Rwy 16R at Sacramento Intl is and it screwed me up until I figured it out.
Here's what I do. I'm assuming your aircraft is configured for landing, ie; speed, altitude , flaps, etc.
I have my runway ILS freq. plugged into Nav1 radio and make sure I'm getting the morse signal (then I turn it off because it's annoying).
Make sure your switch is in Nav, not GPS.
Start your approach far enough out so the aircraft has enough time to make any changes in direction and altitude. I'm usually set up several miles out.
Hit the approach button. The aircraft will begin to make the required changes in direction etc. At this point you're just there for the ride.
Monitor the ILS diamond on your MFD. As you intercept the glide slope, the diamond will move down towards the center line. That's where you want it to be. You control the speed of the aircraft which will effect the glide position.
When the aircraft begins to loose altitude reduce your speed to keep the diamond on the centerline. With the big iron, I can put the speed at about 10knts above my landing speed and then reduce it as I get closer to the runway to final landing speed.
Right before the threshold I turn off autopilot including the AT and fly the rest by hand.
You may be starting your approach to high or to low. The best way to practice ILS landings is to use the flight planner for a short flight with ATC control. ATC will direct you to the proper direction and altitude and then let you loose to land the plane. This way you get a feel for where you need to be.
Also, check out the Learning Center for ILS approaches. It's pretty detailed.

[Ace_437]

Yep, I do have the course set correctly I'm assuming. I usually get the runways actual course from the FSX map and dial it in.

Also, I switch to VOR1/ILS on the autopilot. Should I just leave it on NAV?

[flightfreak777]

not familiar with the aircraft but it sounds like it should be on the VOR1/ILS

[BruceAir]

You may find it helpful to review "Using an Autopilot" in the Learning Center (Help -> Learning Center), which is installed when you set up Flight Simulator.

The article explains the autopilot controls in FS.

To learn more about the ILS, see the Instrument Flying Handbook and the Instrument Procedures Handbook, both free downloads available as PDFs.