Hi,

As long as I have had FSX and FS9, I am still confused between the GPS/Nav switch, and the NAV and APR buttons on the Autopilot. Sometimes I make a great approach and my planes pick up the ILS and everything's fine. other times it won't pick it up at all. Also, most of the time I can't seem to get the plane to fly a published approach once it is active and magenta, or a racetrack type holding pattern. When is it correct to just use GPS mode or NAV mode? As you can see, I'm still confused on this. Can someone help me in simple terms? Thanks. Tom

I am still confused between the GPS/Nav switch, and the NAV and APR buttons on the Autopilot

 

On the GPS/Nav switch you will use the GPS selection when you want the autopilot to follow a GPS flight plan and you will use the Nav selection if you want to autopilot to track a VOR if you have a VOR frequency tuned and a course heading, if will track that radial for you.

 

You can use the APR button for tracking an ILS and Localizer and glideslope for an approach.

 

If you fly mostly using GPS flight plans and want the autopilot to following your flight plan you will keep in on the GPS selection most of the time and then you can switch it to Nav/APR when you intercept the ILS beam. Keep in mind, for APR to work correctly you must come in under the glide slope for it to work correctly. If you come it higher than the glide slope it wont fly the glide slope for you. Also make sure to have your VOR tuned to the ILS frequency and the course heading set for the ILS your intercepting.

Thanks for the help. That clears it up for me. To track a full approach with racetrack, procedure turn, etc. do I leave it in GPS mode then when on the localized switch to nav?

Tom

This might help you....

 

http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/

In the FSX Learning Center, it is all explained in the Autopilot section too!

 

Best regards,

Jim

Thanks, guys.

Regards, Tom