Approaches: ATC, GPS and Charts

[who4ever]

When I am flying an IFR flight plan, following ATC commands, when I am nearing my destination and ATC starts vectoring me in, is ATC actually vectoring me according to a published Approach that I can use the chart and GPS as an aid, or is it just random commands that may or may not be the same each time I fly the same flight plan? If ATC is actually vectoring me according to a published Approach, how can I tell which one it is?

Thanks, Dave

[tgibson_new]

AFAIK ATC is not following a published approach. If you have real approaches compiled into the airport (using ADE or similar tool) you can ask for a specific approach, but ATC will not then give you oral commands to follow, just "fly the approach". The autopilot will follow your chosen approach though.