As Glenn says. You can also set the Garmin to auto-switch to APP on the corresponding approach types, which are for example the LPV ones.

 

Now when it comes to the AP systems in use, I guess our rw pilots would have more details. But it depends on how the AP system handles GPS steering commands and if it needs the increased sensitivity from the APP mode or handles all things with a dedicated GPSS (GPS steering) mode.

 

Those details may be limited by the actual FSX rendition of the systems, so if we assume our trustworthy FSX AP acting in the background, all you do is run NAV and later APP if the approach allows for that vertical guidance.

 

If not, you remain in NAV and handle the vertical speed or just follow the FD while hand flying. Well, remaining in NAV of course means that the FD is pointing to the VS being set by you. So don't mix that up or at least leave the houses and trees where they are. :P

 

You are 'on the approach' when the lit text comes up, stating the actual type, lets say 'LPV'. If it only states LNAV, APP isn't available if I'm correct.

 

Those approach types really make a difference and the only indication the RXP unit itself gives you is that small 'GPS' text when choosing the approaches on the page. The text means that it can be flown with GPS guidance as the primary source. On the rest, the legal limits define the GPS being the secondary source and the ground based stuff acting as the main one.

 

This being a legal limit, you can always cheat I guess (for lateral guidance), but the unit will warn you once. Surely comes from Garmin lawyers. ^_^

 

The actual type of the GPS approach comes from the charts. You only see 'GPS' in the unit itself and later, when you are already on the approach, the correct indications (LNAV, LNAV+V, etc.) coming up. I think the usual sim pilot will always expect the best and then say 'darn, only LNAV' later. :lol: That's what happens here.

 

I remember reading from long ago that GPS approaches all had to be handflown and that there wasn't an AP yet in FSX that could fly them for you.

Right. Earlier RXP versions had a limitation on (not) being able to steer the AP for approaches of some kind. But that was changed some years back, so perhaps that state is the one you had in mind. Here are the details. http://www.simforums...topic34926.html

Thanks for all the info!

 

BTW About using only VOR etc for plans: my flights are usually rather short and often have no VORs nearby.

I hope it helps.

 

No VORs? Pick intersections, the units knows them all and Plan-G shows them, at least the ones from the FSX data. Should work most of the time. By the way, I'm regularly checking for Plan-G V3 now. :dirol:

By the way, I'm regularly checking for Plan-G V3 now.

 

You lucky guy! And thanks about that intersection tip: I'll check that out. I am looking forrward to Plan-G v3 because it has a new way of figuring out radials for for instance triangulation and so also for waypoints.

Happy you like it!

 

And, yes for the Legacy, the 530 is the better option.

 

For RNAV, assuming you have an LPV or LNAV+V approach (not all are!),

you hit the APR setting on the autopilot when the glideslope indicator becomes live on the HSI.

 

Re LPV vs LNAV+V, I believe that in the real world, only the LPV approaches are fully sanctioned

by the FAA as instrument approaches.

 

LNAV+V still give you the same guidance and can be used with the autopilot in FSX, but they are a Garmin

database approach without FAA approval. (as best I know)

For RNAV, assuming you have an LPV or LNAV+V approach (not all are!),

you hit the APR setting on the autopilot when the glideslope indicator becomes live on the HSI.

 

Re LPV vs LNAV+V, I believe that in the real world, only the LPV approaches are fully sanctioned

by the FAA as instrument approaches.

 

LNAV+V still give you the same guidance and can be used with the autopilot in FSX, but they are a Garmin

database approach without FAA approval. (as best I know)

 

Thanks, I am beginning to understand it now: I was thinking RNAV was a kind of GPS approach but RNAV is a name for a group of 4 various GPS approaches. I love to learn new things...

 

You say LPV and LNAV+V support glideslope and need APP. But I would expect L/VNAV to support APP and LNAV+V to be flown manually (the glideslope)...?

I once had it with Alan on the RNAV. This does not necessarily mean that a GPS is involved. It's more like being able to fly coordinates instead of references to ground stations. So RNAV would also be the INS and LORAN stuff. Nowadays, the GPS enables most planes to make use of the concept though, so the thinking RNAV=GPS isn't that far off.

 

If you read RNAV, you must be able to process waypoints, that's a good and rough description I think. If you read RNAV (GPS), you are in with only a GPS.

 

On the approach types with the available APP mode, those should only be the LPV and L/VNAV. The rest only offers advisory vertical guidance or is reduced to lateral navigation.

The GNS 530 is a must have, once you have had it and use it you wonder way it's take you so long to get it.

 

A must have.

The glideslope in LNAV+V is an "advisory glideslope", not a precision approach.

 

In the real world, you would fly an LNAV+V approach by hand..

 

Personally, in FSX, I use the autopilot, just like LPV, if I feel like it... which would likely get

me busted in real world operations..

On the approach types with the available APP mode, those should only be the LPV and L/VNAV. The rest only offers advisory vertical guidance or is reduced to lateral navigation.

 

Ok, so I got that right.

 

 

The GNS 530 is a must have, once you have had it and use it you wonder way it's take you so long to get it.

 

A must have.

 

Well, I've only done one short flight with it yesterday and I already agree. I can't wait to do my next flight and to learn everything there is to know about the GNS 530! I like the added depth to the sim: I am still flying GA but it feels I've got the simming possibilities of a 737NGX if I want to. What took me so long indeed...

Well, I've only done one short flight with it yesterday and I already agree. I can't wait to do my next flight and to learn everything there is to know about the GNS 530! I like the added depth to the sim: I am still flying GA but it feels I've got the simming possibilities of a 737NGX if I want to. What took me so long indeed...

Yep it bring a new level and like you said and glad it was the same feeling for you, the min you turn it on and play with it you just know you wish you had bought it a long time ago.

I only have 3 GA's in my hanger now RealAir Turbine, RealAir Lancair and Baytower RV7 and even then I know the Baytower is not going to get flown again over the Lancair, so it will be deleted.

BTW dont you love how easy the 530 is to fit in the RealAir aircraft. It's the finishing touch to the Lancair and Turbine.

For me now it's simple for GA it has to be RealAir 172 coming

PMDG for Tubes

The only other 2 I'am looking at are FSLabs 320 and Majestic Q400