Hi All,

 

Sorry if this is a noob question or if it's been covered before, but can someone shed some light on the meaning of the different types of approaches in terms of the FMC?  This is more AIRAC related I suppose and definately not PMDG specific, but I'm hoping that someone here would shed some light on this for me... 

 

For example, when flying to NVVV I have a LOC, RNV, and VDM approach in the FMC.  Other airports, have ILS (the obvious one), I've seen VDB, etc... There's so many abbreviations here (coming from AIRAC I suppose), which seems to be for exactly the same thing?

 

I know some are VOR approaches, some are VOR/NDB approaches, some are obviously ILS approaches, etc.  How do you know which one of these "magical" keywords in the AIRAC data to select depending on which approach you want to fly?

 

Thnx

I suggest you to take time to read carefully the manual that comes with PMDG where FMC is explained in detail.

It's difficult to understand your question as it seems to me you have not clear what is the FMC about.

The approach you have to fly depends on several factors (weather, ATC and of course your fightplan...)

Chris the VDB approach is so-called because it combines the VOR with the NDB approach. So for NVVV, if you have a look at your charts for runway 11, for example, you're going to fly to the VOR then continue on the outbound radial 225, join the 10dme arc to ECHO and then continue on the 025 QdM to the NDB (and you'll notice that that particular approach is very, very offset from the final approach track of the runway). It's designated VDB because it combines use of the VOR and NDB.

 

Edit: Just to explain further, Chris, you'll notice the VOR/DME (VDM in the FMS) approach is different because, as I've said , it only uses the VOR and its associated DME for the letdown procedure. There is no VDM approach for runway 11 for that airport - it seems there are slightly special approach procedures due to the terrain to the west of the airport (presumably)

Where can i find a good tutorial/guide about these type of approaches?

Where can i find a good tutorial/guide about these type of approaches?

Straight from the FAA - http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/media/chapter_4.pdf

Straight from the FAA - http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/media/chapter_4.pdf

 

Thank you pcubine.

 

 

which seems to be for exactly the same thing?

 

If they were exactly the same, they wouldn't exist. There's always a difference if you take the time to look. John gave a good overview. Have a look at the link provided by Michael for the rest.

 

 

 

How do you know which one of these "magical" keywords in the AIRAC data to select depending on which approach you want to fly?

 

In the real world? Whatever the controller assigns you (unless you have a particular preference ahead of time, and wish to request that).

 

In the sim? Usually whatever is most beneficial to you. In today's world, that usually means the RNAV.

Straight from the FAA - http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/media/chapter_4.pdf

Great Publication, with lots of advice and examples.