Hi all,As a new simmer (I fly MSFS2004, IL-2 and Falcon 4), one of the problems I have on all of them is lining up accurately with the runway during final approach. I can usually get down alright, but I wondered if anyone had any tips or techniques for lining up for a straight (VFR) approach so I don't have to go through my usual weave routine to get down!I suspect the solution to this is practice, but all help and ideas appreciated!P...

No such thing as a dumb question my friend.. We all had to start somewehre :-) And you got the answer to your own question in one... Practice Practice Practice. It will also depend on the type of aircraft you are flying and any weather you might downloaded or set. I am sure others will be able to offer general hints and tips, but if you persevere you will get the hang of it quick enough.Best RgdsAidihttp://www.vfr-flightcenter.com/avsim_sig.jpg

Thanks for that! Like I said, I had pretty much suspected that would be the answer. I generally fly the Cessna 172 in MSFS on full realism with light winds gusting up to 8 knots. In IL-2 FB I fly the Bf-109 and in Falcon 4...erm well, the Falcon!Cheers,P...

I usually keep an eye on a certain instrument as a guide to coming in straight, as in the runway will appear to be at the top of that instrument and centered. It seems if you stay a bit to the right of the runway it will all come together as you get close. Like the other post say's Practice, Practice, Practice.

I found out that it is much easier if you zoom the view out on approach. One click on the `-` button gives you 0.75 and that gives you wider field of view that improves accuracy in lining up. Switch back to 1.0x for landing or the ground seems a long way away!Allcott

Hi there!Jeez, didn't even know you could zoom! I shall give that a whirl tonight.Cheers!P...

Hi there,I can recommend flying the private pilot lessons that come with FS2004, they're really pretty good and give you an idea why you should rather fly a traffic pattern than straight in approach. The patterns to be flown in those lessons might be a little wide, but you'll soon get a grip as to how tight you want to fly it.Also, try the Avsim Flight School forum here, there are some really great tips for flying both VFR and IFR in real life, that should help a great deal.This is how I usually setup for normal landing in a 172:Enter downwind leg on a 45 deg course. Reduce power to 2200 RPM, or whatever gives you 90kts.Adjust as necessary for desired traffic pattern speed.Abeam the numbers:Carb heat on. 1600 RPM. 10 deg flaps. 70 Kts.If no traffic, turn base when numbers are 45 deg to your rear. Adjust turn to base and and final as conditions require. Flaps to 20 deg during base. Airspeed 65 Kts after 20 deg flaps and full flaps when sure you have the rwy made (on final).Here's one link I found on how to enter the pattern, this might give you an idea of how it works:http://www.avweb.com/news/airman/184487-1.htmlAlso, you might want to do a goole search for "traffic pattern" that'll bring up thousands of links that I didn't want to post here ;-)Cheers,Petehttp://members.aol.com/pzsoulman/myhomepage/logo.gifAthlonXP2000,AbitKX7-333(latest4in1),512MB/2700SDRAM,WinXP,DirectX8.1,Geforce3TI200(128MB)(Det.30.82),SBlive(WDM5.1.2601.0)

Cheers Pete,Lots of good help there. What's your take on flaps? I see that there are two schools of thought - get 'em down early, or leave 'em as late as possible. I suppose in a Cessna it doesn't really matter. Just wondered what your thoughts (or anybody elses out there) were.Cheers,P...

"I suspect the solution to this is practice, "You said it- and it's the truth.Given that Pete's advice is for a C172- just scale speeds etc. up or down according to type.Having carried out a fair number of landings - both real and simulated- all I can say is that there comes a time when it all falls into place and you don't have to think about it in the way you were before(Bit like learning to ride a bike- suddenly you stop worrying about falling off).Also,you'll find that after a while ,you'll know instinctively ,from the view you have of the runway when on finals,whether you're on the correct path both vertically and horizontally- all you have to do is watch the airspeed and rate of descent.You might find that slightly increasing the null zones in the settings for the control surfaces may help.It will stop you overcorrecting.Have funDave

I'm not a real world pilot, so with that disclaimer, here's what I do. I have no idea if this is correct.I like to set-up early, including flaps. I like to get on glide altitude very early using the runway helper lights (2-red, 2-white "Vasi" lights). Then I like to get all trimmed out, and set a consistent RATE OF DESCENT speed mostly based on engine RPM's that keep me in the "Vasi" color range of 2-red and 2-white lights, and a desired actual forward speed (which is generally slow, as per manufacturer spec's). Now I have very little to do because the airplane is mostly flying itself in on "glide", and I am still quite a way's out from touchdown. With that, I am free to make small corrections and stay pretty well lined up, without much effort, and there are very few other distractions, except an occasional "tweek of the throttle".The landing then is just mostly about a flare at the bottom.Once you get a "feel" for this, it is also easy to do even if the runway does not have any Vasi lights.And lastly as others have said... It certainly is not a dumb question, as we all have "been there".Bob (Lecanto, Fl)PS... Learn to use the ILS landing system, and all this is done for you automatically. This system is composed of a glide scope and a localizer. Aircraft instruments will give you centering "needles". It all starts by entering the desired runway's ILS frequency into your Nav 1. radio and then pressing the "APR" button on the autopilot to make a landing. Make sure you come into the Glide scope from below (a MS-FS requirement.). The localizer keeps you lined up, while the glide scope gives you a descent path in the sky. Use my above description for airplane set-up when intercepting the system. Be sure to turn off any autothrottles, and the autopilot just before your landing, and then land the plane manually from about 200 +/- ft. up.Also be aware that there is an "EFIS" system available to turn on that will put red boxes out floating in the sky to show you the localizer and glide scope positions. You just fly down through the "boxes" to learn the system. Again they (the boxes) will not appear unless you have the desired runway's ILS frequency in the Nav 1. radio, and EFIS turned on from the programs set-up area. That ILS runway frequency is available in the Map, or from the Garmin system while in flight. It's always a pain to find !The program, FS Navigator is a big help in using this system. Especially if you set it up on a second monitor. It makes it real easy to use. Th ILS ranges are all mapped out, and the runway frequencies are just a drag and drop to the radios. It's all done on it's own screen and it's a no-brainer.

Hi there...There are couple of things I would like to add ...1. You will always need to make small (inputs) changes to keep it lined up with the runway.2. Pick a point on the runway and keep that point as constant as possible to where to see it in front of the plane by following step 1.3. Setup the RPMs as mentioned... The right RPM, with speed will help you have a stablised approach...4. Try it with No wind first... get a hang of the plane and how it handles, then add light winds with about 20 degree crosswind, then as you improve, increase the crosswind angle to about 90 degrees. 5. Keep Practicing...Have fun...Mihir