Another question I have. LANDING. Right now I'm flight the CRJ 200 by VR Flight Simulator CRJ-200LR. I always seem to come in to high to the airport when flying in ILS. I'm not sure of the decent speed I should be using. If I use a -1400 angle I descend quick, but too fast. I just tried descending at -800 and I was about 6000feet at only 2 miles out. I do sometimes get lucky and I'm at the right altitude for landing.Also at what point in the whole landing procedures is the "Approach" (how far out or what altitude?)thanksx:)~

Try planning your descent much earlier, and make your approach from a low altitude. Each airport has it's own procedures, but 2000 feet is a good place to start. You should be level (and slow) at 2000 feet, before you start the approach. Then when you get close, drop your gear and flaps if you haven't already. Always intercept the ILS glideslope from below. Trying to hit it from above is very difficult. The trick is to be low and slow before you start. Otherwise with gravity, you will never catch up. Check this site for some good information:http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/ils.htm

Okay, but I usually wait until the tower tells me to decend and start then, is that what you mean? Should I start before this?

I don't own this particular plane, however sometimes the ATC instructions will tell you to start your descent too late. I know this happens with the PMDG 737 among others. You can begin your descent early, or depending on the plane you can extend the speedbrake fully during descent. Another trick you can do is to request a lower cruise altitude when you get closer to your destination.You can also just fly a few circles near the airport while you lose altitude and speed. I usually just use a VFR flightplan and plan my descent and approach myself.

As well as the excellent site mentioned by Craig you will find the following site very useful Kittie.It is just a MS excel spread sheet but contains lots of useful tools, many thanks to Brian for developing it.http://www.tooby.demon.co.uk/P_Assist_Home.html

Try flying online with VATSIM ATC - you'll find human controllers a lot more in touch with what you need than the FS robots. They will usually position you at the correct height well before you intercept the ILS giving you plenty of time to get the aircraft correctly configured for your approach and landing.Dave

from what i understand, the approach starts around ten miles out from the airport. you should start slowing down to your approach speed about that far out and be at your approach speed by the time you reach the outer marker. also be at around 1500 to 2000ft when you hit the outer marker and intercept the gligeslope. those are general altitudes and can be 1000ft for GA aircraft. it depends on the aircraft. good luck. william

RE: landingThere is a rule of thumb which you can apply here.distance to go x 3 then add two zero's like:distance to go = 10.0 nm x 3 = 30 Plus add two zero's = 3000ftdistance to go = 5.0 nm x 3 = 15 plus add two zero's = 1500ftdistance to go = 2.0 nm x 3 = 6 plus add two zero's = 600ftThe above will give you the height you should be at whenwhen X nm from the threshold. Approx 3 degree glideslope.Rule of thumb about your rate of decent:Take your ground speed and multiply it by 5 like so60kts x 5 = 300ft per minute70kts x 5 = 350ft per minute80kts x 5 = 400ft per minuteExactly the same for jets:130kts x 5 = 650ft per minute140kts x 5 = 700ft per minuteSo when your 10nm out flying at 80kts ground speed you shouldaim to be at 3000ft, then start your descent at 400ft per minuteadjusting slighty as required to keep on the papi's.I hope this helps.

Thanks all for your help. I will try these out and see how I do. I would like to try online, but I'm afraid that I'm not that great yet to join online yet. Soon I hope.Huggsx:)~

You should not be doing any arithemtic in your mind while flying ILS.When you fly ILS - CDI indicator will tell you whether you are high,low, left,right, etc. Use its indications to make corrections to your flight path.When flying visually you should watch VASI lights and they will guide you at proper angle of descent.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

>Thanks all for your help. I will try these out and see how I>do. I would like to try online, but I'm afraid that I'm not>that great yet to join online yet. Soon I hope.>>Huggs>x:)~ You know, I'm thinking you got the cart before the horse here. As with you, I'm a fairly new flyer, having picked up FS9 just a couple or three months ago. My favorite time to fly is ONLINE with others because of the interaction (I use TeamSpeak.) Landings will come with time, I'm finding. But missing out on all the fun just because your landings aren't perfect won't cut it here. Live a little, go fly your planes. Landings WILL get better as time goes on. This is, after all, a game, made for your enjoyment. My pilot rep? Well, I'm certainly not known for my smooth touchdowns but then I fly the bush and lots of those little strips aren't so smooth anyways.YMMV, of cuss. :D

Okay, it took 3 attempts but I got that aircraft down (smoothly too). It's much easy to start your landing further out. I believe I was waiting too long. Some aircraft I fly you don't have this problem, others you do. Next thing to tackle is online. I not sure how to do this. I will go to the multi player part and study up.Huggsx:)~

Go to Vatsimhttp://www.vatsim.net/Join Vatsim , then go to their Pilots Resource Center where you'll find all the neccessary software and instructions on how to use it properly.IMHO - this is the best and most realistic way to fly online with professional sounding ATC etc.Dave