I know this isn't limited to the turboprops but I figured I'd ask it here. How do you guys manage visual approaches? I'm trying to follow the profile in the AOM, that's simple enough. But I know someone out there has some good ideas outside-the-box that help you managing getting a good, consistent, stable set up on final.

 

Thanks again!

Gregg

I'd say most of it is experience in being able to "see" the profile you need. To start out, though, one of the big things is overestimate at first, and then try and push the boundary each time. Try flying to the same airport and if you're descending early, try to push it a little closer each time until you're getting more of a constant descent path.

 

I also have a visual way of using reference points, but I'll see if I can get a video of it to make it more understandable.

You guys ever use Ezdoc? I found it watching a video and started looking at it. I'm wondering if it might solve the glance over the shoulder problem that (to me) is difficult in a 3D cockpit.

This may be a bit basic for you advanced guysbut heree's what I came up with:

• Downwind should be established about 2-3 miles from the runway...wider than GA traffic and at 1500 or traffic pattern altitude. Establish 50% power,190 KIAS, flaps 9
  
• On downwind look ahead, about 2-3 miles from landing threshold, for a visual clues which to initiate turn to base and final.
  
• Abeam the touchdown point (or thereabouts), gear down. Power down to about 45%. At 160 KIAS, flaps 15. Keep easing power to approach 140 KIAS.
  
• Turn base, rolling out and below 140 KIAS, flaps 25. Power down to about 30%, shallow descent and monitor airspeed.
  
• Turn final and get on target airspeed.
  
  • If you're on VASIs then just stabilize, monitor speed.
    
  • If you're low, maintain target airspeed, add power to 40-45% (depends on how low). As you approach VASIs, begin easing power back to 30%.
    
  • If you're high, ease power (how much depends on how high) and establish target airspeed. (Establishing airspeed first keeps the aircraft from 'floating' so that you can get down easier.) As you approach VASIs, begin adding power.
    

  [*]Stabilize and fly a normal approach.

 

I flew this a number of times with good results each time.

So, I tried out Ezdoc. Took the leap and spent the $35. I was a bit skeptical since the UI is cheesy. I backed up my entire FSX directory before I installed it...just in case, but it installed quite easily and I created two views. One out the left-front, the other out the right side. I went ahead and set up another view from the FO seat since it 'takes over' the way you look around. Simple. There were a couple of tricky bits since I had my mouse-look set up through FSUIPC. I turned that off and let Ezdoc do it since it's quite a bit smoother. Works either way.

 

I set the views up on my hat switch (never had a use for it in VC since it always seemed to slow me down getting back to my face-front cockpit view). I might switch it to a couple of buttons on my left hand since I don't like to take my right hand off the throttle that close to the ground.

 

Bottom line. The views worked great. It gives you that head turn that helps 1) identify when you're abeam the touchdown point and 2) much more important, helps with the turns on the visuals. Far better than my TrackIR. (It says it works with TrackIR but...TrackIR doesn't work out so hot for me.) After shooting a few, it became so natural that your thought is that this basic feature should have been in FSX all along. It's got a bunch more gadgets that make the airplane feel more real...shakes when rumbling down the runway and head bounce. Pretty amusing. A nice perk. Seems silly to spend $35 for a product just so you can more effectively do a pattern but, on the other hand, doing patterns is so critical and it makes them feel significantly more like flying in a real plane when you do.

 

Gregg

Gregg,

 

That is interesting. I have to say that the hardest thing for me while flying the sim is the difficulty of efficiently switching from cockpit tasks and looking out of the window to do a visual approach or even during taxi. This product seems to be a fix.

 

I am rarely home and fly from my laptop and joystick (right hand) which makes things trickier. Just got Saitek gear, but have not had a chance to play much with since I am not home much, but what a pleasure to steer with your feet leaving you two free hands!!

 

I just did the circle to land rwy 08 in Innsbruck (LOWI) and this topic comes to mind as you have to keep one eye on the granite close by and the other on your IAS/descent rate while in tight turn...so relaxing lol

Yeah, It's added something good to my flying. I now feel confident that I can make a visual downwind pattern entry and properly make my turns. It makes it simple. I've been using it on both the J41 and a C182. It should have been included in FSX as part of the product but at least it's available from someone else. Like I said, there's more that the product does but the basic thing, the thing that's really needed) is the simple head turn and return back to the front view which you really need in VC. I hear there's a new version planned for summer (hopefully, with a better UI) but I'm not sure I care because this one does the trick. My only wish is that it handled the 'on button release' event to return me back to a forward view and used all 8 positions on my hat...it only uses 4.