Staying aligned?

[jamesnixon197 0]

This is probably such a simple question to you guys.

But basically I'm fly and ILS approach and it guides me on to the glide slope but obviously I can't keep the localizer on for the entire approach so about 5nm out I disable VOR LOC and fly it manually however at that point my plane seems to drift away from the runway and when I see other people land they seem to just be lined up with the runway and can land perfectly without losing alignment.

 

So my question is how do I stay aligned to the runway all the way to the ground?

 

Regards,

James

[Domobaby 1]

What aircraft are you flying? 

 

If you are visual with the runway then it's your flying skills

 

If you are flying IMC then usually the Flight Director crosshairs would be shown on the PFD. These would align with the G/S and localiser. 

[Guest]

This is probably such a simple question to you guys.

But basically I'm fly and ILS approach and it guides me on to the glide slope but obviously I can't keep the localizer on for the entire approach so about 5nm out I disable VOR LOC and fly it manually however at that point my plane seems to drift away from the runway and when I see other people land they seem to just be lined up with the runway and can land perfectly without losing alignment.

 

So my question is how do I stay aligned to the runway all the way to the ground?

 

Regards,

James

 

Why can't you keep the localizer on...? And why do you disable VOR LOC? You have to keep it all on and the various gauges (crosshair or loc and gs indicator or whatever your plane shows you) should help you to stay aligned. The only thing you 'obviously' have to turn off is the auto pilot (unless your plane supports autoland). Other than that it is a matter of practice.

[JRBarrett 3,076]

This is probably such a simple question to you guys.

But basically I'm fly and ILS approach and it guides me on to the glide slope but obviously I can't keep the localizer on for the entire approach so about 5nm out I disable VOR LOC and fly it manually however at that point my plane seems to drift away from the runway and when I see other people land they seem to just be lined up with the runway and can land perfectly without losing alignment.

 

So my question is how do I stay aligned to the runway all the way to the ground?

 

Regards,

James

You can keep your autopilot armed, and flying the localizer and glideslope right down to decision height. (Typically about 200 feet above ground). If you choose to disconnect the autopilot at 5 NM and hand fly the aircraft - then you must do exactly that: hand fly it. If there is any crosswind, the aircraft will drift to one side or the other of the runway centerline - that is normal and expected. If you observe that happening, then you must correct for it by turning (slightly) against the direction of the drift to regain the centerline.

 

Once you disconnect the autopilot, controlling the aircraft's horizontal and vertical path is entirely up to you.

[TrafficPilot 121]

Is it windy? What direction is the wind coming from? 

 

You are compensating for the wind drift?

[Forkboy2 27]

Practice more.

 

Be careful not to over correct.

 

Try to make many small adjustments instead of a few big adjustments.

 

If you are flying a large plane, realize that it takes a second or two for it to react after you make heading adjustment, adjust throttle, etc.  Make the correction, then let the aircraft catch up before making the next adjustment.

 

You didn't say what you're using for controls.  If you're using keyboard, it will be very difficult.  Much easier with good yoke.