We all know that the stock FSX ATC leaves a bit to be desired, but today left me more puzzled than ever. IFR flight from Quito to Bogota (another high-elevation airport!). So another light load - total guesswork as the clip for the Pilot's Eye TV Lufthansa Cargo MD-11 hop from SEQM to SKBO didn't detail the payload or fuel. Just 10 tonnes of cargo and 22 tonnes of fuel.

ATC told me clear for ILS approach to 13L then Circle To Land 31L. I thought the weather was looking a bit dodgy, so why ask me to do that I wonder? Yes indeed! Total madness!! But hey, this is a sim and if ATC want me to play Captain Cowboy disregarding life, limb.... and boxes.. I'll try! 

Everything hanging out - loads of power and I know 31L will come into view in a second..

 

This is what the tower saw once I'd got the runway in sight: Ever the consummate professional....hooligan. Who's laughing now, you crazy Columbians?? (Good job I'd made the turn before that tall office block though!!)

I left my FO to see to the unloading and loading whilst I stormed off to visit ATC whilst pondering if some controlled substances were not as controlled as they should be.. (clandestine cross-border ATF/DEA operation required) 

AHEM... any possibly stereotypical joking aside....(I believe that ANY air traffic controller is a highly trained professional person)  does anyone know if the stock ATC has specific airports where a circle to land instruction is given? It's not as if the wind was a factor (about 4 knots). It happened on a flight I did to Chambery in France too.

Also I know I should have just gone missed, but would I have been vectored back to the same runway despite the conditions?

Before I purchased Radar Contact I used to get that a lot too.  As I remember, the ATC cops never knocked on my door when I ignored "circle to land instructions".  Especially when the wx was clear.

Edited April 23, 20197 yr by woodhick

Yes, mountains and high-elevation (dangerous) airports surely don't mix well with default FSX ATC...many times been directed straight for the mountains...Nonetheless, glad, you nailed this landing so well...

Nice shots and clouds here...

As a Colombian (it's Colombia, not Columbia! Grrr), I can confirm that (until some years ago) the approaches to the 31L/R runways at SKBO were basically circle-to-land. Now, if you have the default scenery, it's very probable you'll be getting this. With any add-on scenery (or even just AFCAD), you'll have more chances of getting the 13s.

A not so crazy Colombian I see. Thank you for your insight Luis and I apologise for my ignorance regarding the spelling - I blame a certain famous Space Shuttle..

I have an updated El Dorado Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento International Airport by Gabriel Marin from around 2013. It does have both 13L & R ILS and it is more up to date than FSX. I will have to visit Bogota more times to see if I get the choice of the 13s.