I'm fairly new to approach plates, and I'm having trouble knowing which one to use under VFR conditions. For example, let's say I'm flying into Rosecran Memorial airport in St. Joseph, MO (KSTJ). A search for charts on MyAirplane.com brings up:RNAV (GPS) RWY 17IAP RNAV (GPS) RWY 35IAP LOC BC RWY 17IAP VOR/DME OR TACAN RWY 35IAP VOR OR TACAN RWY 17IAP NDB RWY 17IAP NDB RWY 35ugh.Are there rules for which chart to use and when? Can I just pick one? Why would I want to use a NDB approach when I can use a VOR approach instead? There are so many variations, it's confusing to me.thanks in advance for any direction.

>Are there rules for which chart to use and when? Yes, they are. And are fairly obvious. First, the airport like this usually would only have one runway open in IFR conditions - in your case runway 17 or 35 but not both (determined by wind). So this cuts the number of choices by half. Then, depending on the actual weather and how "bad" it is you would decide whether to fly LDA or some other approach. Then it depends what direction you are coming from - one approach may be more convenient then other, then how is your aircraft equipped - for example do you have equipment to fly the GPS approach and then ultimately with still some choices left it is usually up to the pilot which one he prefers. Given fairly moderate ceiling I would always pick GPS since this one is easiest to fy. The absolutely last choice would be an NDB approach./// BTW, in VFR conditions you do NOT have to fly any such approach. You might just for practice but such approaches are meant for IFR flying.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Just to add to Michael's good explanation:In IFR conditions, or if on an IFR flight plan in VFR conditions (VMC), ATC will assign you an approach. They know from the suffix in your flight plan what equipment you have and so what approaches you can make. You, as PIC, can always request another approach- whether for reasons that you just want a change of approach, or maybe you don't have that approach chart in your possession.If in VMC, you will likely get the visual approach- which is quite like a normal VFR approach, only that you are vectored until you can either see the airport or the preceding aircraft (ATC will tell you which one). Then, if you lose sight of it at any time on the approach, you must declare a missed approach.Bruce.

Thanks to both of you for your helpful responses! This is good information.Bruce - I saw your Jeffco designation. I live in Broomfield myself!thanks for the help.-Jason

Hi Jason,Hello to another Coloradian, Jason!I hope to see you at the AVSIM conference in September.Bruce.

Yes, ATC may give you an approach, but you could always request something else, and usually do. Happens all the time as all pilots are in continuous training. ATC is used to it.As someone mentioned, what you can do is based on your equipment, weather minimums for your category, and sometimes how anal ATC is being and/or runway in use, sometimes. I say sometimes, as you can always ask and shoot an approach, say, Pensacola PNS VOR RWY 8 approach, and circle to land to RWY 17/35 or even RWY 26.In the last two weeks, I've shot (in real life) the PNS VOR RWY 8, PNS ILS RWY 17 (3x), NSE TACAN RWY 23, NPA TACAN RWY 7R (3x), 2 PARS & 2 ASR at NPA RWY 7R, NPA HI-TACAN 7R (fun one, starting @ 16K), MOB VOR A, MOB ILS RWY 14, and NPG PAR RWY 4 & No-Gyro (RMI) PAR. Did a quite a few more in the few weeks before those listed above. I didn't land any of them.. well, one of the ASR's I took to the deck.Anyway, depending what's going on, the traffic in the area, etc, you can request anything.. heck, even in FS2004 you can request a different approach - just know they may have you circle to land or side-step to the active runway.. in that case, use circling minimums. :)I do wish FS2004 could do PARs. Although, those are a cakewalk.. no thinking required. Just have to be able to follow directions.