Just curious. I fly a "direct to" route frequently on the Default GPS in FS2004, and wonder how others do this: I fly to within 30 miles or so (sometimes out farther)and hit the "Proc" button. Then I select a GPS, or ILS that seems appropriate, and then start using the AP to descend, slow down, set flaps, etc. THEN I enjoy flying the plane in without AP when weather permits. WHEN do you set up your approach and activate it? Do you do it early on, or later in the flight? Exactly what is your methodology and thinking when using this feature? Stan

The best time to activate the direct approach is when ATC comes on and gives you your vectors for landing. You will note that you can select "Standby, select another approach". It is here that if ATC has any programmed direct to approaches you can request them. If not, you can simply cancel IFR and fly the approach in your GPS.Lee

Well, what I do, is set the HSI to GPS mode, and use the Autopilot APP or NAV mode to track my flight plan. When I'm making my final descent and manuevers to final, I just intercept and fly the ILS myself. If weather isn't too good, I switch the HSI back to "NAV", plug in the NAV1 freq, and use the autopilot's "APP" function again to track the ILS. I generally turn on the APP mode when I'm within 14 miles of the RWY, and it will hold the heading and altitude until it intercepts the loc.I hate the ILS/APP/Vectors, etc availible on the FS GPS, i never once got it to work right (it's hard enough trying to navigate it and figure out what to press). It (in my opinion) is very much easier just to plug in the NAV freq myself, and fly it myself, or do what I said above, than to use the one in the GPS. Plus, if you're flying with VATSIM, or even with default ATC, they give (or should be giving) vectors right to you're final approach, making the GPS thing useless, unless you decide to rebel against the ATC :). Because, when I am flying manually, and then turn the AP on, it turns me directly to the line between each waypoint, not directly from my current position to the next waypt; so i'm sure that could take you on some very weird adventure, lol...good luckto Midnight: I honestly don't see a point to cancel IFR tracking, just to use the not-so-useful GPS thing, right at the end of your flight; that's just my opinion :), have a good one

Thanks for your responses. I often don't use ATC...I know it's not as real when I don't, but I just want to make a flight, make my own decisions, and be able to get up, go to the frig, and come back to the computer (many miles later). I notice sometimes when I pick a runway to land on too close to the destination airport, that it's difficult to maneuver the plane to line up perfectly if the runway isn't directly on course. If I make a decision on the runway soon after takeoff the GPS sends the plane on a more manageable course to intercept the runway. I have to do more testing on this....using the exact same flights and deciding the runway at different times. Thanks, Stan

Stan,Here is the procedure I use when I'm not hand-flying the bird. Obviously there are many types of instrument approaches. This is assuming a plain LOC/GS approach with no weird procedures involved..Whether or not you're using ATC (FS or VATSIM, etc), once you turn onto your ILS intercept course (typically 30 degrees off your final approach course), engage NAV/LOC mode. Ideally you should be intercepting the ILS below the glideslope (at a hard altitude) prior to the Final Approach Fix. Once the aircraft rolls out onto the localizer, watch the glideslope, once it becomes active (starts moving down), engage APP mode. Unless you're flying a CATIII approach, I usually take control at around 500' and hand fly her the rest of the way down.Hope this helps...-Dan

Hi Stan-On my autoplilot when I use it to fly an apporoach I usually use the heading bug until pretty closely established-then hit app when within 10 degrees-the king which I think fs models allows I believe 30 degrees. You might want to check out a real king manual here-it explains the procedures pretty well.http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=162686&page=