How do I use ILS?

[munchiez]

Hey guys, i need to know how to use ILS. I want to actuallu land realisticallyand know how to use it. Can someone please explain in depth about how to use ILS?

[bumpkin]

http://flyawaysimulation.com/contentid-21.html

[Schedule]

Have you tried the Learning Centre? Lots of information and lessons.

Regards
Schedule

[oldcrusty]

Munchiez - The ILS is really the simplest of all the radio navigation aids to use in real life and in the sim.

Two main tricks to help.

1. You must be configured to arrive at the IAf (Initial approach fix) generally 10 nm at 3000ft AGL on the localiser (established) at the approach speed for the aircraft flying. You should keept your speed to between 180 and 120 kts (type dependent) and you have to remember that it is a 3 degree slope (for 90% of all ILS's) and to be on slope you need to match your rate of descent to your speed. For 120 knots that is about 900 FPM ROD.

2. Fly the needles. the cross or horizontal needle is your glide path and the vertical needle is you localiser path. you have to remember that on the ILS each mark point is half a degree of deviation so you only have 2 and a half degrees either side to play with. Smooth and gentle corrections up or down and side to side or left and right. If you have the aircraft properly configured Gear down on intercepting glide path, flaps set and power for constant ROD you should be able to trundle on down with minimal changes to attitude or power.

Don't chase the needles but make smooth and small corrections, some ILS's do wander about as you get to the bottom. Use the marker beacons to check your height and you should arrive at about 300ft ready to make a transition into the flare and land. If it is all turning to custard, go around and try again. Best of Luck and have fun!

GOLDEN RULE: ATTITUDE + POWER = PERFORMANCE (ALWAYS)

[Flying Officer Jevans]

BUT don't forget that an ILS is not necessarily 'realistic' all the time. On an airliner, if it's a nice day, the pilot will still make a visual landing, same as you would in any other aircraft - it's easier than staring at the instruments throughout the approach.

ILS is always a backup or replacement for visual landings in bad weather - it should never be used automatically.

[vgbaron]

Munchiez - The ILS is really the simplest of all the radio navigation aids to use in real life and in the sim.

Two main tricks to help.

1. You must be configured to arrive at the IAf (Initial approach fix) generally 10 nm at 3000ft AGL on the localiser (established) at the approach speed for the aircraft flying.

Not the case at all. The IAF distance and altitude can be different for each approach. The correct settings will be shown on the approach chart.

Munchiez - go through the tutorials and learn how to read an approach plate and the different terminology. Then you can enjoy IFR flight. There is too much to understand if you want to do it right and it can't be explained in a simple sentence or two.

However, if you just want to "plug and play" - tune your nav 1 radio to the ILS frequency

if you don 't have the chart - have your altitude to around 2000 to 5000 above ground level and when you get close to the airport, set your autopilot to APR -

If your altitude is close and your approach course is close, the AP will pick up the localizer and the glideslope and fly you down close to the runway.

You really should RTFM to get a better feel for this.

Vic

[scott967]

I would suggest looking to intercept the localizer about 2 miles outside the FAF/outer marker at FAF glideslope intercept height if you are not doing the full procedure. I think if you pull up the ILS approach in the GPS and set the VtF to the FAF leg the VSR window on the left of the GPS will give you the descent required (in FPS, -5 = -300 fpm) if you don't have a chart handy.

scott s.
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