Pardon my initial typing. I meant an IFR flightplan. I am interested in the way FSX handles ATC which may, or may not, be how ATC in the real world handles the approaches. I have received either a visual approach or vectored to intercept the ILS. I thank all who answered for the information. Bob.

And JBZ you an ATC ? I mean in RL ?

 

Yes

In my world of rw GA ifr flying the visual is most of the time-simply-a visual frees up the approach quicker for other aircraft. I have started an approach in imc-and always report to atc when I have the field in site at which point I am usually cleared for a visual approach at that point. I also have been cleared for the visual while in imc and had to call atc to say unable-then cleared for the approach-asked to report when I have a visual-and after reporting cleared for the visual. The majority of time I also have been vectored to the approach (again faster for everyone)-I can only remember one time when not in practice I had to fly the entire procedure turn -at keat. When I got my ifr rating in 1991 my cfi also told me I would probably never have to do a hold rw-and he was right. I have gotten vectors for spacing/s turns-but to date no hold except for practice.

 

Also you may want to look at some of the approaches into ksfo,kdca which are published visual approaches. There were nice debates some years ago-if flying ifr an ifr visual approach-either published or by command- can it be logged as an ifr approach -what if you break into visual conditions at the beginning of the approach-or the other way around ....The faa changed positions several times-first saying you had to start the approach in imc (and it was pointed out that you could start the approach in vmc, end up in imc to minimums)-they then changed to you had to fly the approach all the way to minimums (and then it was pointed the vast majority of flight rarely end that way and it would be hard for anyone to maintain currency). To my knowledge it is now based on the rule of reason...if you think it should be logged-log it!

 

http://answersforpil...ency-approaches

 

 

 

..and now to be even tricker-the majority of my ifr time has been in vfr conditions-so even though you are on an ifr plan you can not log the time..but I have logged ifr time in reported cavu conditions. (Answer-definition of ifr logged time-sole reference to instruments). Flying over Lake Michigan on a severely clear day can cause a total loss of horizon or at night over water (the Kennedy killer)-requiring flight solely by instruments and therefore legal logged time, although technically in vfr conditions.

 

Ever notice fsx only logs ifr time while you are in the clouds? Pretty neat!

Are separation requirements greater for ILS approaches than visual? I've heard ATC clear a/c for an ILS then independent visual approach (presumably once VMC). If separation goes up, frequency goes down and flights get delayed. But this is all too hard for FSX ATC.

Are separation requirements greater for ILS approaches than visual? I've heard ATC clear a/c for an ILS then independent visual approach (presumably once VMC). If separation goes up, frequency goes down and flights get delayed. But this is all too hard for FSX ATC.

 

No, separation standards are the same except for on a visual approach when the trailing aircraft has the preceding aircraft in sight and instructed to maintain visual separation.

 

At least in the US of course.

Thx. Wasn't sure either way.

If you are on an ILS flightplan in clear weather will ATC always clear you for a visual approach to your destination airport? What determines if you get a visual or ILS approach? Does it make any difference if you are landing at a stock airport or an addon airport with an ILS? It seems random. Thanks, Bob.

 

This may not be 100% right, but I think the general idea is:

 

For arrivals, ATC has a runway selection logic, and an approach selection logic.

 

Factors considered:

 

Runway -- position, primary heading, secondary heading, length, pattern turn direction/alt, open/closed for landing, coded instrument approaches, membership in a set of parallel runways (parallel runways are treated as a "group").

 

Weather -- IMC (surface visability < 3 nm or ceiling (lowest cloud layer with 5/8 or more coverage) < 1000 ft, VMC (not IMC), wind speed/direction

 

Arriving aircraft -- position, empty weight (jets)

 

Flight plan -- none/VFR, VFR TNG (AI), IFR, IFR TNG (AI)

 

If weather at airport is VMC, ATC will generally favor a runway (or runway group if exists) with an ILS approach. When a runway group is selected, ATC will clear aircraft to closest runway in group. If aircraft is IFR/IFR TNG if that runway has ILS approach, ATC will select ILS approach vetors to final, otherwise will select visual approach. If aircraft is VFR ATC will give pattern entry instructions.

 

If weather at airport is IMC, ATC will favor runway group with highest rated approach. (there is a priority list, ILS is highest, NDB is lowest). If aircraft is IFR/IFR TNG will be assigned the highest priority approach type for runway selected. If aircraft is VFR will be told airport is closed. Note: if there is GPS overlay approach, ATC will give GPS approach and not the underlaying conventional approach. Note: in case of weather change, ATC will switch runways, regardless if AI are in process of taxi out / take off / or landing.

 

scott s.

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If you are on an ILS flightplan in clear weather will ATC always clear you for a visual approach to your destination airport? What determines if you get a visual or ILS approach? Does it make any difference if you are landing at a stock airport or an addon airport with an ILS? It seems random. Thanks, Bob.

 

ATC will always give you an ILS approach if the winds are in the right direction for that runway. So if both sides of the runway (e.g. 05 and 23) have ILS approaches, ATC will definitely give you an ILS approach.