Need help with my KSEA-KSFO IFR flight plan

[captain420 3,099]

I am having trouble finding a suitable approach that will connect to this following flight plan:

KSEA HAROB6 ERAVE Q1 ETCHY MLBEC BDEGA3 KSFO

This flight plan will be used for the A320 and also the TBM 930. For the A320 I am selecting the ILS28R CAT II and III approach, but the lines don't seem to line up. The last waypoint on the BDEGA3 STAR is BRIXX, but can't find an approach that will connect from it. What am I doing wrong? Perhaps I am choosing the wrong STAR for that runway? I am trying to replicate a real world route as shown here - https://flightaware.com/live/flight/ASA1332/history/20201024/0430Z/KSEA/KSFO 

The problem is I have no idea which runway to choose.

Edited October 23, 2020 by captain420

[Mirach 38]

Here there is the chart for the STAR: https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2011/00375BDEGA.PDF (here the full charts )
If you look in the small box, you can read to expect vectors to final approach (for each runways is in use at that moment) from ATC

Consider that not all the STAR (not only in KSFO) are directly connected to an Approach fix and vectors are necessary.

[captain420 3,099]

5 minutes ago, Mirach said:

Here there is the chart for the STAR: https://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/2011/00375BDEGA.PDF (here the full charts )
If you look in the small box, you can read to expect vectors to final approach (for each runways is in use at that moment) from ATC

Consider that not all the STAR (not only in KSFO) are directly connected to an Approach fix and vectors are necessary.

So what should I do if I am flying this route offline without ATC? What would be the best approach?

[Dave_YVR 1,000]

Just pick an ILS to the one of the 28's and self vector to final once you are low enough. Just remember 30 degrees or less to intercept and that no one wants a 16+nm final.

Edited October 23, 2020 by Dave_YVR

[captain420 3,099]

15 minutes ago, Dave_YVR said:

Just pick an ILS to the one of the 28's and self vector to final once you are low enough. 220 hdg for the base and then 260 to intercept.

I want to land on ILS 28R. Could you please walk me on how to self vector to capture the localizer and glideslope? After I pass BRIXX (140 degree course) which is the last waypoint on the BODEGA3 STAR. Do I remain on that 140 course and for how long? I'm not sure exactly at what point I start turning and when do I start capturing the localizer?

Edited October 23, 2020 by captain420

[Mirach 38]

After BRIXX, I would stay on 140° until being close to SIDBY, then turning to 331° to intercept CEPIN at 3000ft. 
In the FMC, after BRIXX add SIDBY to have a visual reference on the display, but fly in heading mode. 

[The Flight Level 2,124]

8 hours ago, Dave_YVR said:

Just pick an ILS to the one of the 28's and self vector to final once you are low enough. Just remember 30 degrees or less to intercept and that no one wants a 16+nm final.

So true about the 16+nm final! A couple of years ago I had to clear the circuit at a small airport when a Cessna Citation called in that he was on final. He was on a 10 mile final and a had to go around twice before he landed! I learned the term SlowCitation!

[Dave_YVR 1,000]

10 hours ago, captain420 said:

Do I remain on that 140 course and for how long? I'm not sure exactly at what point I start turning and when do I start capturing the localizer?

 Just a layman's explanation as to what you could do here. Descend on the 140 heading towards EDDYY which is a transition on the ILS28R and that will take you right the LOC or you can stay on the 140 hdg descending being mindful of where you plan on intercepting the GP altitude wise (4000asl at 15nm final, 3000 at 12nm etc). Plan accordingly and turn base 010 and then approx 2-2.5nm from the loc make your intercept turn 315 (30 degree intercept) to join, just make sure you are below the GP. 

[captain420 3,099]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. That is definitely a great idea by adding in those waypoints into your flightplan ahead of time so that you can use it for self vectoring yourself to capture the localizer! I'd never thought of that. That will make things a bit easier to follow when flying without ATC.

In order to capture the localizer you have to come at it from a 0-90 degree angle and it cannot be captured if you're parallel to it right? Is there a specific distance your plane has to be before you get those those localizer diamond in your PFD?

For capturing the GS, your plane has to be under the GS capture altitude and not at or above? According to the ILS 28R approach chart above, it shows that GS will capture at the waypoint AXMUL at 1800ft. So does that mean when I'm at AXMUL my plane should be right under 1800ft (1700, 1600, etc) in order to capture it?

Edited October 24, 2020 by captain420

[Dave_YVR 1,000]

 Intercepting the loc at more than 30 degrees is certainly possible, but isn't recommended. As for being under the glide path, you generally want to aim for 3000' agl so that you are nice and stable for the approach.

[captain420 3,099]

12 minutes ago, Dave_YVR said:

As for being under the glide path, you generally want to aim for 3000' agl so that you are nice and stable for the approach.

When you say glidepath are you refering to the GS/Glideslope?

[Dave_YVR 1,000]

Yes, they are the same.

[HighTowers 1,439]

Something else that helps for IFR situational awareness is adding a DME fix relative to the ILS.   You can do this with the P3D aircraft, but MSFS aircraft dont seem to have this capability yet.   Basically as in the example above just choose it based on the ILS identifier, in this case IGWQ  and then the outbound course of the ILS (opposite of the 184deg so 104) and then 10miles as a radius.  As a fix it would be 104/10. This gives  you a visual 10mile radius around the ILS position, plus a line extending out on the ILS path. This can also help you vector your heading to intercept it easier. 

[captain420 3,099]

2 hours ago, HighTowers said:

Basically as in the example above just choose it based on the ILS identifier, in this case IGWQ  and then the outbound course of the ILS (opposite of the 184deg so 104)

Do you mean 284? Could you explain how I would add a DME fix in both the A320 and Boeing 777? I'm curious to try. Is the picture below the correct page to do this? So I would enter in IGWQ under Ref Fix, and enter 10nm for the Radius. Where do I enter the 104 degrees?

Edited October 24, 2020 by captain420

[HighTowers 1,439]

9 hours ago, captain420 said:

Do you mean 284? Could you explain how I would add a DME fix in both the A320 and Boeing 777? I'm curious to try. Is the picture below the correct page to do this? So I would enter in IGWQ under Ref Fix, and enter 10nm for the Radius. Where do I enter the 104 degrees?

I'll get back to you with pictures when I load up the sim.    I had a typo in the previous post.   The course for the 28 arrival is 284.   subtract 180deg.   gives you 104.  You enter it under 'radial'  and 'radius would be 10. 

There , have added airbus reference and Boeing.  In this case AS A330 and PMDG B738.  Should be the same in the A320 and 777.  No 777 yet in P3D v5.  If you have the FSLA320, be sure its updated to have at least S7 FMC software or you wont see the fix option.  In the quick setup I did, its a 10nm range ring from the ILS Ident. I usually add a 2nd fix as a 30nm ring, which normally you should be around 10000'  at that point, assuming its a standard ILS intercepting at 3000'.  Theres a dedicated FIX button on the Boeings.   You found the fix page on the airbus I see.   

Edited October 24, 2020 by HighTowers
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