If you look at the UK Final Approach charts to, say EGLL, you will find that altitudes are given above mean sea level (QNH) and above threshold (QFE). These are both barometic readings: neither has anything to to with radio altitude,

 

For sure... Barometric is a pressure reading, as opposed to a radio wave reading. QFE (Threshold): is this refering to the runway threshold? I have heard that when making an approach into an inland airport, some pilots prefer to know their height above land level instead of sea level.

I recommend flying online on one of the big networks (vatsim and ivao) with real humans as ATC, it vastly improves the experience in my opinion. Nothing beats interacting with humans when it comes to ATC, controlling traffic is too complex to program into a piece of consumer software. The ATC business is so dynamic and complex, so its hard to get it right.

 

Thanks... sounds like a great idea! When opening FSX programme, isn't there a link on the main page where you can click to fly online? Or just simply Google search Vatsim and Ivao??

is this refering to the runway threshold?

 

Yes. the Instrument Approach Charts are for specific runways. The ILS/DME I-LL RWY 27L approach for EGLL shows the glide slope is intercepted at 2500 (2423) = QNH (QFE). The design of real world procedures ensures obtacle clearance is achieved.

My simple suggestion is stop looking at the radio altimeter...FSX ATC is bad but not so bad that I have ever flown into a mountain. Sure close sometimes but never into one. Somteimes they get you down too fast and then give climb instructions when it didn't work out but yeah, it sounds to me like you are making something out of nothing really. You'll be fine.

My simple suggestion is stop looking at the radio altimeter...FSX ATC is bad but not so bad that I have ever flown into a mountain. Sure close sometimes but never into one. Somteimes they get you down too fast and then give climb instructions when it didn't work out but yeah, it sounds to me like you are making something out of nothing really. You'll be fine.

 

Reluctlant to say (and quite embarrasingly too!), but I have to admit that I have struck the fuselage underside on low hilly terrain, during previous attempts to land... this was at night and while strictly following FSX's ATC vectoring.