FSX with an i5 4670k @ 3.4Ghz + GTX 570 | Recorded with Fraps | PMDG 737 + FT Dubai !

[aadilf1]

New system specs!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdCJn80fRuk

[HoggyDog]

Interesting video, was this at Dubai? It looks like your new system is handling everything OK. I'm thinking if you could increase your detail/distant-object settings and start the approach 2,000 ft higher, you could see the PAPI from a lot further out and avoid the half-degree-glideslope flat approach. Or just use the ILS. This one made me wince the whole way down. 0.o

[aadilf1]

Interesting video, was this at Dubai? It looks like your new system is handling everything OK. I'm thinking if you could increase your detail/distant-object settings and start the approach 2,000 ft higher, you could see the PAPI from a lot further out and avoid the half-degree-glideslope flat approach. Or just use the ILS. This one made me wince the whole way down. 0.o

 

I'm such a noob, all I do is land airplanes, No idea what a glideslope or ILS is XD

[HoggyDog]

I'm such a noob, all I do is land airplanes, No idea what a glideslope or ILS is XD

 

A glideslope is the sloped path you should fly from your initial approach altitude down to the runway. There are exceptions, but a general rule of thumb is that most glideslopes are at a 3 degree slope. The approach in your video looked to be about a quarter or half degree slope or so- much too flat, and much too low far from the runway.

 

ILS=Instrument Landing System. The ILS guides your descent to the runway along the glideslope as well as aligning you with the runway laterally, using Nav radios and your Primary Flight Display (PFD) and/or Multi Function Display (MFD). You can fly an ILS when the weather is so bad you can't even see the nose of your own airplane, as long as you break out of the clouds and can see the end of the runway when you get to decision height, normally about 250-300 feet above the ground a quarter mile from the end of the runway.

 

Your autopilot can actually fly an ILS for you, leaving you nothing to do but manage gear, flaps and the final flare to touchdown. There are several threads here and elsewhere about how to set up and capture an ILS using the autopilot.

 

PAPI=Precision Approach Path Indicator. It's that row of 4 lights just to the left of the runway. They show red when you are below the glideslope, and white when you are above the glideslope. When you are right ON the glideslope, they show two red and two white. Since you like hand-flying visual approaches, practicing them using the PAPI would probably be more enjoyable for you than learning ILS's.

 

Try this next time you go into Dubai: Start about 10-15 miles from the end of the runway at 2,000 feet above the ground, which at Dubai would be 2,000 feet on your altimeter since Dubai is at sea level. Head straight for the runway like you did in the video. You want to be at approach speed which, for most jetliners would be around 155-165 knots with approach flaps down- generally 10-15 degrees of flaps, you should look up your flap schedule in your aircraft reference.

 

Stay at 2,000 feet and watch the PAPI lights just to the left of the runway. When the first one begins to change from red to white, lower the gear and start down toward the runway while reducing throttle to slow to around 140-145 knots. Lower the next notch of flaps (probably 20 degrees) as you slow. Your descent should be considerably steeper than the one in your video. Reduce throttle as required to slow to Vref + 5 knots, adding flaps to "landing flaps," usually 30-40 degrees. You should look up Vref in your aircraft reference, it generally varies from 130 to 150 knots or so, depending on aircraft weight. Retrim the airplane with each configuration change- trim so that you can let go of your stick or yoke and the airplane keeps doing exactly what it was doing before you let go.

 

Keep adjusting your descent path to keep two of the PAPI lights red and the other two white, using power instead of pitching the airplane up and down. If the third light goes red, you are slightly too low and should add a bit of power; if you get all 4 red, you are quite a bit too low and should add a fair amount of power. Same goes for white: if you get 3 whites you are a little too high and should reduce power a bit, etc.

 

If you keep the PAPI showing 2 reds and 2 whites with the speed at Vref+5 with landing flaps, you will arrive 10 feet or so above the runway numbers and need only reduce power to idle and raise the nose a bit for a nice landing- and a much safer one than the flat approach in the video.

 

Hope this helps!

[napamule2]

The saying is: 'ALL WHITE-YOU'RE ALRIGHT. ALL RED-YOU'RE DEAD'.

Chuck B

Napamule

[StringBean]

The saying is: 'ALL WHITE-YOU'RE ALRIGHT. ALL RED-YOU'RE DEAD'.

Chuck B

Napamule

 

Actually the saying is...

 

White over white, you'll fly all night

Red over white, you're doin' all right

Red over red, you're dead

[aadilf1]

@HoggyDog Wow thanks so much, Definitely will try to improve using your tips and make another video :D