After a couple of flights I'm VERY impressed with the program, but I'm confused about how (or even if) one can fly a pre-GPS IFR approach. This is mainly due to my current infatuation with the MSFS DC-6, and wanting to fly it using only RF navaids and my own highly inaccurate dead reckoning. 

I've figured out how to import flight plans and all that, but I can't figure out how (or again, if) one can just be vectored onto an ILS approach without having to try and manually fly a STAR...which, at my skill level, is practically impossible.

You can file a flight plan, without a STAR and enter an ILS approach for the destination.  If the intercept angle is acute, you'll get vectors, or if not, you'll be cleared to fly the ILS on your own.  Or, you can request vectors to the ILS while enroute.

Dave

18 hours ago, cowace2 said:

After a couple of flights I'm VERY impressed with the program, but I'm confused about how (or even if) one can fly a pre-GPS IFR approach. This is mainly due to my current infatuation with the MSFS DC-6, and wanting to fly it using only RF navaids and my own highly inaccurate dead reckoning. 

I've figured out how to import flight plans and all that, but I can't figure out how (or again, if) one can just be vectored onto an ILS approach without having to try and manually fly a STAR...which, at my skill level, is practically impossible.

One of the problems that you'll have flying DC-6 era ILS approaches is that today's approaches at major airports are no longer designed to accommodate the way IFR was flown in the 50's and 60's.  A gentleman by the name of JWSHD has posted on his Flickr page a number of old instrument approach charts from the 50's, 60's and 70's: jwhshd | Flickr

Most ILSs in those days had locator outer markers (LOM), i.e., low powered NDB and used a procedure turn to enter from the en route airway structure.  There would either be an IAF on the airway or a feeder fix from the airway to the LOM.  Terminal radar vectoring began in the 50's and became common place in the 60's, and a result these pilot-flown, procedural entries became less common.  Today, we have all but removed these type of entries on approaches at the major US airports, and you'll actually see "Radar Required" on most of them since radar vectoring is used. Most of the old LOMs have been decommissioned.  That may make it difficult to fly the DC-6 as it would have been flown back in the day. 

However, some airports may allow you to do so.   A flight from MKC (Kansas City Downtown Airport) to ICT (Wichita, KS) can be flown much as it would have been flown back in the day.  For example, taking off runway 19, you can fly the Obstacle Departure Procedure for MKC with a heading to intercept the MCI R-171 to WETZL, then V12 to ICT.  There is a feeder route from the ICT VOR to any of the ILS approaches at KICT.   To be completely realistic, there was only the ILS to runway 01R with the PICHE LOM back in the 50s and early 60s as 01L/19R did not exist.  There was a LOC/BC approach to runway 19L, which we actually had up until 2003 when they upgraded it to an ILS.   Simbrief should not have problem figuring out this flight plan.  You would likely have to "Direct to" WETZL, but that would still be realistic.  ATC would just be providing vectors to the radial.  

Similar airports pairs can be found elsewhere.   This also works if you're interested in flying the C414 or the new analog Baron like as we did back in the 80's before GPS, and even before LORAN C. 

Hope this helps.

Rich Boll