Question for the wonderful people on this board.....today i flew KCLT-TNCM. It was a great flight with cool scenery. Anyway, TNCM doesnt have ILS. I went to NAV data and they didnt have any frequencies for that airport except a 308 NDB that I pout in the ADF. For the laning, I just lined it up using the screen that showed up from my FMC. I followed it and landed, but didnt feel like it was the proper way to do the approach. In this situation, or in all situations where there is no ILS available, how would I do the approach. There was no vectoring b/c it wasnt online and I hate using default ATC. Would Radar Contact vector me to a better position for the approach? How would I go about doing this? Is there a tutorial for this kind of approach? Thanks...its probably an easy question.Brad ZImmer

Hi Brad,You have a question which need very detailed answer. Therefore, I shall just give you some starting points and references to follow.Non ILS approaches are called non precision approaches and there are two types of such approaches, namely, VOR and NDB approaches. VOR and NDB approaches are different.You need insrument (IFR) training to understand the basics of such approaches. S

>Non ILS approaches are called non precision approaches and>there are two types of such approaches, namely, VOR and NDB>approaches. VOR and NDB approaches are different.Don't forget GPS approaches. They are becoming more and more popular and are available in the simulator.Good luck,Patrick

Hi,Sorry Patrick, thats not what I intended to explain.GPS is a kind of FMC and some planes have it some not. Its nothing to do with instrumental approach prodecures.GPS is just an isnturment to execute navigation and if necessary approach procedures. Its up to pilot to use FMC, GPS or do it manually.Even if you are equipped with GPS, if you are landing to an airport equipped with ILS you use ILS to track down the runway and if not VOR, if VOR is not available NDBCheersMusashi

I think Patrick was referring to a GPS instrument approach procedure rather than the GPS equipment itself. Here's an example of a GPS approach plate:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/51305.jpg

Hi,Actually GPS approaches do exist are becoming more prevalent every day. There are even different types of GPS approaches.You could also add LDA and LOC approaches to the list of non-precision approaches. But I know this was not your point in your original answer.Thanks,Bruce.

Don't forget the non-ILS approach called a visual approach!Lee Hetherington (KBED)

Brad,With all due respect to Musashi

Thanks Sean for excellent description of Poor Man's ILS I shall try it at home.I also agree with Lee that there is also a visual approach, but as you all pointed out I took the question on IFR flight rules and just offered some help on the basics how to start. GPS approach charts are too high tech for me and for this part of the world yet :) and I dont think my locality Airport has such charts too. Any ideas on use of such chart for a FMC equipped 737?Any reference, guys, on GPS approach charts and procedures are appreciated.CheersMusashi

I'm pretty sure that FMC-equipped aircraft can fly GPS approaches. At least in the US, most of the GPS approaches are also marked RNAV.Lee Hetherington (KBED)

Musashi, and Lee>>Any ideas on use of such chart for a FMC equipped 737?<