How does the "Activate Appr" button function in V3?

If I want to fly to the IAF and execute the entire approach procedure, how is that done?  I filed to the IAF for the RNAV Z 33 to LOWS, which is a tricky approach in mountainous terrain, and P2ATC kept trying to vector me into the cumulogranite clouds surrounding the field.  I imported the route from Simbrief, then loaded the procedure and transition from KONUG in P2ATC, but it still tried to vector me rather than giving me clearance for the approach from the IAF.

Hi Bob,

Generally, if you want to fly the filed flight plan, removing most of P2A's procedure selection logic, you can uncheck the "ATC Assigns SID", "ATC Assigns STAR" and "ATC Assigns Approach" options on the FltPlan tab of Settings, and check the "Force Pilot Runway Selection" option.

There is logic in 0.1.4 that was added to favor approach transitions over vectors, where cumulogranite clouds are present.  So, with the KONUG waypoint as the last point in the filed route and Runway 03 selected without an approach, you should get an approach assigned by ATC that uses the KONUG transition.  But since you had it in the flight plan, changing the settings mentioned above would be the best way to avoid the vectoring.

Dave

35 minutes ago, Dave-Pilot2ATC said:

Generally, if you want to fly the filed flight plan, removing most of P2A's procedure selection logic, you can uncheck the "ATC Assigns SID", "ATC Assigns STAR" and "ATC Assigns Approach" options on the FltPlan tab of Settings, and check the "Force Pilot Runway Selection" option.

Those are the settings I had...also "Force STAR assignment" was checked, however I did not assign a STAR in the procedures dialog.  The procedures line below the flight plan window shows blue dashes.  The Simbrief flight plan does not include the SID/STAR/Approach in the routing--I added the SID and RNAV 33 approach with KONUG transition manually.  It gave me the RNAV Z 33 approach, but it tried to give me vectors to the RNAV final rather than just clearing me to KONUG for the full approach.

Also, I am still unclear as to what the "Activate Appr" button is used for.  I see that when I press it and get the blue border around it, the waypoints on the approach are added to the flight plan.  If it's not selected, then the flight plan just shows KONUG (the last waypoint on the filed route and also the IAF) and then direct to the destination airfield with none of the approach waypoints.  Do I need to have this selected to get cleared for the approach (full procedure without vectors)?

I'll do some testing to figure out why you are still getting vectors.  I would uncheck the "Force STAR Assignment" option if you want to fly the plan you enter.

As for Activate Approach, that is most useful when getting vectors.  It is meant to display the intended vector tracks and waypoint on the map and in the flight plan.  It makes very little difference when vectors aren't involved.  I press it right after making the initial turn when getting vectors and it works out quite well.  It doesn't affect the approach logic at all.

If in the planning stage or just wanting to see if you will be getting vectors or not, use the APPR button to the left of the map which will display a "Gold" line of the intended approach, with or without vectors.

Dave

There does seem to be a bug causing the vectors to be given.  I'll work on it.

Dave

I just uploaded a hot fix for this issue.  0.1.5B should ensure you don't get vectors when the last waypoint in the route is the IAF.  Also, gives vector to IAF instead of final when the approach has a transition, and the last waypoint is not the IAF. 

This should fix the immediate issue but still working on smoothing out wrinkles for various scenarios, so next update will likely have improvements.

If you have any issues with any approaches, let me know the details so I can use those scenarios to refine the logic.

Dave

Edited April 13, 20251 yr by Dave-Pilot2ATC