Flying the ILS in the Md11

[stfitts 0]

Gents,The next question I have is about flying a ILS in the MD-11. I just did a awesome VOR13L app into JFK in the rain and it was a blast BTW. So lets set the scene. Your on the CAMRN4 and are told to expect the ILS 13L APP. Say you are given a heading to intercept the LOC. would you stay in heading mode but what would you do to intercept the LOC? I fly online mostly and am a controller. You normally dont fly direct the IAF after the end of your STAR. There is a couple vectors and such. So how would you execute the ILS when on heading hold to intercept? Walk me through a ILS in YOUR cockpit.Shawn

[Orlaam 306]

It all depends on the situation. Flying in sim is obviously more difficult in terms of navigating. I only fly offline, so it's tough not knowing what runway will be in use. Don't know how this is online, but in the presence of good ATC, you should be vectored off your STAR and given headings to line up with the IAF or maybe even a FAF that will allow LOC intercept. That's what ATC is for, among other things, to guide you into the flow. If you don't get headings, then you should be told to proceed direct to certain waypoints.In your scenario, I assume you've been vectored to receive the LOC at the proper angle and you are in heading hold mode. Upon LOC coming alive, you'd press APPR/LAND (LOC or APP depending on plane type) and allow the plane to capture and follow the LOC and G/S.I unsure how else you would do it? :(

[stfitts 0]

That's what I was needing to know. During heading hold on a intercept angle, I would select appr/lnd and that would intercept when you enter the LOC.

[JHepburn 0]

That's what I was needing to know. During heading hold on a intercept angle, I would select appr/lnd and that would intercept when you enter the LOC.

I would do the same unless the ATC controller left me high (read above the G/S). That case I would probably use NAV or HDG SEL to intercept until the G/S needle was centered, and then select approach mode.

[MatthewS 761]

That's what I was needing to know. During heading hold on a intercept angle, I would select appr/lnd and that would intercept when you enter the LOC.

The official Boeing MD11 flight patterns (including ILS approach) can be found here:-http://www.smartcockpit.com/plane/boeing/MD-11/

[Orlaam 306]

That's what I was needing to know. During heading hold on a intercept angle, I would select appr/lnd and that would intercept when you enter the LOC.

Well, yes, that's all you need to do. Once the LOC comes alive and the dot starts to move along the bottom, press the APPR/LAND button and let her work. Just make sure you're speed is good and you're following the other procedures like flap extension and other pre-landing checks.

[Orlaam 306]

I would do the same unless the ATC controller left me high (read above the G/S). That case I would probably use NAV or HDG SEL to intercept until the G/S needle was centered, and then select approach mode.

I see no reason why you'd need to refrain from pressing APPR/LAND, although a good controller wouldn't leave you too high to capture from above either. If you're too high you won't make the MAP without building speed and probably needing to just go-around. I don't know the margin of error for a safe "above G/S" capture using the APPR button, but in some cases it might be necessary to use the V/S or FPA dial to carefully recapture the G/S if above. It will be tricky in the MD-11 because your speed is already pretty high and so is your sink rate. Letting the G/S get away from you, regardless of controller error, is not a good idea in this plane. Probably best to go-around or disregard the controller and allow for capture at the charted altitude. If online a controller gives you a final approach altitude too high for safe G/S capture, then be sure to question it. If not, you'll be sorry. Offline, just do the right thing and follow the chart. Obviously a couple hundred feet won't matter, but >500 might.