BTW, it is good to frequently check that you have the correct barometric setting in the altimeter window, especially if you are using real weather. Usually the B key will set that value for you. The atmospheric pressure changes about 1000ft per inch of Hg, so if your altimeter setting is off by just 0.1 inch, that's a 100ft error.

Al

On 11/10/2021 at 7:44 PM, macpilot said:

I assumed that since the GS diamond started to descend I had captured the GS. Is this a wrong assumption?

Just to clarify - yes, that is the wrong assumption.  The GS diamond, or equivalent on other avionics, tells you where you are in relation to the glide slope...not whether you have captured it or not.

Depending on the aircraft and system, other indicators will tell you if the glide slope is captured.  And what happens automatically (or not) when a glide slope is captured again depends on the aircraft and avionics.

So it depends on the aircraft and the specific avionics what the correct procedure is.  Some have full auto trim and throttle and so will fly themselves down, providing you have entered the G/S in the correct state.  Some have auto trim, but not auto throttle.  With these, you have to juggle throttle and speed to keep following the slope.  Others have no auto throttle or trim and so the G/S indicator is for pilot info only, who then is watching speed and the position relative to the glide slope and adjusting throttle and trim manually to stay on the slope at the correct speed.  

AJZip,

 

I think that has been my problem all along.

Thanks for the clarification.

Approach fix from below, GSI should capture and stay centered as plane descends.

For more fun try RNAV approaches which are my personal favorites.

Cheers

bs