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FS2004 Approaches and ATC

M

michaelof

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13
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germany
After some smaller problems I've created a virtual airport near by EDDF, and because of the EDDF airspaces I've created some approaches with some "special" transitions.

I'm not a "real" pilot, but I've looked at the available charts for EDFZ, which is a similar airport, and tried to design something equal for my airport.

General question: FS9's ATC allows me to select the approach with a transition, fine. But it does not take care of any defined altitudes or turns except the first initial altitude. So after I passed the Initial Transition leg, ATC hands me over to Tower, and I fly on my own the transition, including approach. Landing clearance when on short final. Is this correct FS9 behaviour or did I specify the altitudes wrong?

Second general question: How is "reality" (briefly :-))? If an IFR aircraft arrives at at real airport, has the pilot to know the approach and fly by himself or the FMS after clearance, or is ATC advicing the altitudes / headings?

Regards,
Michael
 
For the first question: this is the typical FS9 ATC behavior. It is very limited in its scope.

For the second question: I have only a limited knowledge of European ATC procedures but I was a US controller for more than 25 years. This would be a typical and realistic (airliner) arrival into KORD. The aircraft would most likely have filed a STAR into KORD that corresponds to their route of flight. Lets say the aircraft is arriving from KATL they would file a STAR to approach the airport from the southeast. This could be changed by ATC if needed. Center would issue the arrival route and altitudes needed. The STAR may have recommended altitudes or mandatory altitudes associated with it. If the STAR has recommended altitudes ATC would provide descent and maintain instructions. If it has mandatory altitudes the Center can issue a "descent via" the STAR clearance. The pilot having already filed the STAR would have it loaded in the FMC and would know what approach to expect from the ATIS or Center. Once the aircraft is handed over to the TRACON (approach) then the aircraft would be vectored to the final approach course or the STAR may continue to lead them to the approach in use. During the approach phase the TRACON (if vectoring the aircraft to the final approach course)would issued altitude, course and speed assignments. This would be done until the aircraft is issued an approach clearance..ie. "cleared ILS 27L" then the aircraft would comply with the course and altitudes listed on the approach plate. Speed assignments can and usually are issued till the final approach fix. The aircraft is switched over to the Tower for its landing clearance.
 
michaelof said:
snip--------------------

General question: FS9's ATC allows me to select the approach with a transition, fine. But it does not take care of any defined altitudes or turns except the first initial altitude. So after I passed the Initial Transition leg, ATC hands me over to Tower, and I fly on my own the transition, including approach. Landing clearance when on short final. Is this correct FS9 behaviour or did I specify the altitudes wrong?

Regards,
Michael
Click to expand...

When you specify a transition then ATC clears you direct to the transition entrance naviad at the altitude you placed in the transition property window of the Approach Mode Editor. This should be the same altitude that is on the arrival charts. From this point on you are expected to know what altitude and headings to fly that will get you to the Initial Fix (IF) for the landing approach phase.

When selecting a default transition (or one that you added) it appears that a simple set of rules is in use but the actual coding of transitions is very complex. When you selected a transition the first thing ATC did was remove you from the hand holding novice ATC system since you are now required to fly the approach based on your knowledge of approach plates and rules.

The second thing ATC did was remove you from the slot that was allocated to your plane when you entered the visual AI Zone which is 108 NMs from the airport or a Country boundry (whichever occurs first). If the user of Flight Sim also selects AI Planes then ATC has to work with both the User Plane and the AI Planes. When each plane enteres the visual AI zone a slotted number is given to the plane which is for the landing order. ATC will start vectoring planes so this order is adhered to for the final approach phase of flight.

When you selected the Transition ATC took you out of the slot and you are now the number one priority plane all the way to the Final Approach Fix (FAF).

You said
So after I passed the Initial Transition leg, ATC hands me over to Tower,
Click to expand...

NO they did not say that

Listen to ATC very carefully. When you passed the IAF point of the transition ATC said "contact tower when inbound on the approach".

You were taken out of the approach slot and given the number one priority to the FAF which then slots you for the landing priority which the Tower controller in FS is responsible for.
 
SooneRebel: Thank you for your cool real-live explanation :)

Jim: Thanks for your FS-specfic explanation. I've already listened more carefully and recognized the "contact when inbound", thanks :) But they also say "maintain <transition's IF altitude> until established on the localizer", which must not be the case in all "real-world" transitions I've found e.g. in my Jeppesen SimCharts (purchased a decade ago :)) So I tried already what you suggested and flew the altitudes as I defined them in my transition.
General question: How do you know all this? Documented somewhere, or experience?
Second question: What's the difference between a "missed approach" and "missed approach (published)"? In FS9 I've seen that only the "published" missed approach "let" me fly my ADE-defined missed approach legs, but is this FS9-specific or "real-world"?
 
But they also say "maintain <transition's IF altitude> until established on the localizer",
Click to expand...

Hi michaelof

This picture shows exactly what ATC says when I ask for the CANUK transition which is set for 14,000 ft.

fsscr008.jpg


Second question: What's the difference between a "missed approach" and "missed approach (published)"?
Click to expand...

The missed approach is a simple hand holding set of instructions issued by ATC.

The published missed approach is what is on the approach chart and ATC requires you to fly to the missed approach point which is usually a holding pattern. After you reach the holding point or missed approach altitude you can then ask (ATC) to perform the approach again.
 
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