I was just doing an approach into ENGM, but this has happened on other airports too.

 

After intercepting localizer, I intercept G/S, all on AP. Then I disconnect the AP, for manual control to touchdown. HGS is down. On the ball. Some 30seconds to 2min prior to touchdown (been different for different airports), I lose the guidance in the HGS, HGS displaying NO AIII, and all I can do is a visual. Note: I did not deviate from the G/S much, or actually not at all.

Both FD are on, both NAV radios set, both CRS on ILS course...

Funnily, ILS remains on the GS I think, so I can use that. But HGS doesn't display the correct information any more.

 

Been some time that I've read the manuals and all, so maybe I'm forgetting some crucial step.

 

Ideas?

- make sure you have it turned on in the options in the FMC

- make sure you have it turned on in the options in the FMC

 

Make sure I have turned on what?

-in the FMC under pmdg options/ equpiment/ instruments (page 3) you will find what im talking about. HGS AUTO AIII MODE

If you're landing manually, the plane is not autolanding, so no AIII. When you disconnect the autopilot, the approach becomes a CAT I ILS.

-in the FMC under pmdg options/ equpiment/ instruments (page 3) you will find what im talking about. HGS AUTO AIII MODE

 

That is already set to enabled.

 

If you're landing manually, the plane is not autolanding, so no AIII

 

The AIII is activated from the beginning when I start my approach, it only deactivates some time before landing. I own the NGX since beginning and it wasn't doing that before. Only as of couple of my latest flights (which would translate in couple of last months since I fly very rarely lately, due to time problems)...

If you're landing manually, the plane is not autolanding, so no AIII. When you disconnect the autopilot, the approach becomes a CAT I ILS.

 

The AIII mode on HUD is there precisely so that you can disconnect the autopilot and handfly the bird to a CAT III landing...

The AIII mode on HUD is there precisely so that you can disconnect the autopilot and handfly the bird to a CAT III landing...

 

That's what I thought. Still, why it says NO AIII prior to landing is a mystery to me. Any PMDG official takers on this? I think I'll submit a ticket...

No idea if it is any use but look at page 2 onward of this.

Check this things: airspeed: bug±5knots,

glideslope± 1 dot;

localizer±1/2 full scale on ADI expanded display;

vertical speed <1000fpm.

Rostyslav, thanks. Airspeed is usually about correct or just 1-2knots off, GS is on the ball always, LOC same, V/S is if all that is correct usually around -500fpm.

its looks like you are doing everthing right. I was the Hud set up, you know that screen in the center panel. Is it set for the AIII Auto arm? I recall that if you tune both nav radios to the ILS, that AIII tends to automatically actiavate anyway, but that may have something to do with a specific equipment option.

 

It certainly has nothing to do with the disconnecting the AP. I have hand flown AIII many many times, and I am 99.100% certain that is how it is meant to be flown anyway.

 

Is this a repeatable thing here? does it happen every time you shoot for an AIII?

I will doublecheck that screen on the radio panel. I am usually setting it up prior to descend, with landing alt and rwy dist.

 

My both radios are tuned to ILS. Both CRS bugs are on ILS course.

 

It is repeatable. It happened in Milano, Oslo, and I believe in Vienna... it was each time I was shooting for AIII. I will be flying more often in couple of next days, since I got my new set up done now (yoke, screen, TQ), gotta make a use of it :) I'll see how it's going.