Hello friends :)Two questions![1]Could you NG737 drivers please give me some tips on flying a good ILS approach!? I make sure to set up my approach about 15 miles out. I capture the localizer and glideslope and manage to nail them for about 30 seconds or so.....and then the ride begins! My virtual passengers run out of air-sickness bags when I fly the ILS...I cant keep it nailed :( I go under the GS...then over it....then I lose the localizer....if I could trace my approach on graph paper it would look like a snake :(Im a casual flier on FS9 and to be honest I got the PMDG plane because of its cool exterior model, gobs of airline colours & nice cockpit views - but I also know my ILS approaches are terrible because the PMDG jet is that much more realistic (I dont have a prob on the default 737). So any tips from u "heavy" fliers would be appreciated![2]Do any of the realism settings in FS9 apply to the PMDG plane? For example the PMDG 737 doesnt follow the default FS9 GPS-generated course so I was wondering if other functions like "unlimited fuel" & "crash tolerance" worked on the jet too?Thanks lots :)

Nevin,I'll take a shot at your Qs:1. Hard to say. What does the FMA tell you after you've captured the G/S? What does it tell you after your "snake-ride" begins? What are your speeds before and after the "snake-ride"? Flap settings. V-ref computed by FMC? Airport? Are your NAV radios tuned? A couple of screenshots with some accompanied data would be handy for further trouble-shooting! ;-)2. The reason the NG A/P does not follow the default GPS is primarily because the A/P is custom made for the NG, thus not using the same variables as the default A/P. As far as unlimited fuel goes; I don't know. Why not try it out? ;-) Crash tolerance is functional for the NG. As I fly online I have crash detection turned off.Hope it helps,

Mats,>> What are your speeds before and after the "snake-ride"? Flap settings. V-ref computed by FMC? <<http://www.nextgenerationrecords.co.uk/boa...con_redface.gifI hand-fly all my approaches http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/contri...y/corkysm20.gif Which is probably why I make such a mess of them!I just choose a ballpark landing speed of 140 knots.The only data punched into the FMC are the departure & destination airports. The descent is done using the autopilot but below 10,000 feet I turn off all the gizmos and take over manually (hmmm...that sounded very airline-pilotish!). I think its a finesse issue...Im too abrupt on the ILS I need to control it more delicately...at least I think thats my problem!I need to learn how to control a heavy airplane on the ILS properly! :)

Nevin,No need to feel embarassed. We've all been there. ;-) Even if you hand-fly everything you need to hand-fly it by the numbers. This is an aircraft accurately modelled after the real world NG so you have to apply some real world procedures to succeed. If you have experience with the MSFS default 737-400. FORGET EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! :-) You need to be aware of your weights, speeds and other limiting variables to be within the performance envelope or you will be toast. For this reason ballpark figures are prohibited. (I don't dare to imagine myself on a flight and the pilots in front ball-parking our landing speeds.. :-eek LOL) This is where the FMC will come in handy because if you enter all input correctly it will give you all the numbers needed to fly this baby. !40 knots is probably alright for some weights at some flap settings but will not work for others so...I will suggest you do some studying of the manuals. Maybe do the tutorial flight found in the avsim library. search for Fred Clausen and be sure to pick up version 2. And also do some searches about the subject here on the forum. There's a wealth of information burried here.Hope it helps,

>> I will suggest you do some studying of the manuals. Maybe do the tutorial flight found in the avsim library. search for Fred Clausen and be sure to pick up version 2. And also do some searches about the subject here on the forum. There's a wealth of information burried here :)

NevinFor ease of learning I would set the fuel and save that so the fuel load does not change, until you gain more experience. Of course you can change this if you want to. Check your load manager and set up your aircraft loadout the way you want as well. When the cargo, passengers and fuel are constant then you can work on your numbers. I'm not sure what the unlimited fuel setting will do to things though? Maybe keep weight under the landing weight for your aircraft. As you get better the numbers will get closer to what you want.dave

If you happen to use ActiveSky2004 and have turbulence on for aircraft, with the built-in ATC clearances where the plane in front of you is almost a hood ornament, ILS can be bumpy. However, the PMDG handles it quite well in most cases.Of course, I did a face plant the other day, but that's because I was experimenting, in what not to do .

>Keeping in mind that Im not a hardcore simmer & just fly point-point >with no planning for the fun of it:>>If I use the FS9 function of Unlimited Fuel....the airplane will stay >at one weight...so I can use the same landing speed all the time..?>>Would that be correct?Nevin - First. Seriously, if you like to jump into a plane and just fly around without the need for any pre-flight planning, then the PMDG NG is probably the wrong aircraft for you. You would be better of in something less complicated. Maybe the Beech 1900D?Secondly. If you stay with the NG you will have a hard time succeeding with your landings with unlimited fuel as this will cause you to be way too heavy when landing and this will make it difficult for you. Load her up with 50% in the main tanks and 500kgs in the center and you are pretty much set up for a 1 hour flight. My strong recommendation for you is to take some time to study the FMC. Seriously, this is the key to master this aircraft. Or I would suggest you use another aircraft for your casual flights as I think you might end up being disappointed with this one.Hope it helps,

1. Small moves Ellie, small moves (movie reference). I

Thanx for all ure replies friends :) Getting some good advice here!>> First. Seriously, if you like to jump into a plane and just fly around without the need for any pre-flight planning...<