@AJZip2

There are RW pilots here, who can advise how best to do the ILS approach in your case, wherefrom all of us can learn something.

Do you have any screenshots before and after you reached e.g., the IAF Fix? Which EBBR ILS Runway, you were using or/and cleared for? That might also help the discussion.

I would like to hear myself from other knowledgeable folks here, especially in the context of this A350.

Thanks.

Edited February 24Feb 24 by P_7878

1 hour ago, P_7878 said:

@AJZip2

There are RW pilots here, who can advise how best to do the ILS approach in your case, wherefrom all of us can learn something.

Do you have any screenshots before and after you reached e.g., the IAF Fix? Which EBBR ILS Runway, you were using or/and cleared for? That might also help the discussion.

I would like to hear myself from other knowledgeable folks here, especially in the context of this A350.

Thanks.

I didn't take any shots but will be seeing if I can repeat it successfully this evening and so should be able to take some.

I was taking the KOK9A arrival to runway 25R at Brussels.

 

I have to say, I was VERY impressed with the Autosave feature incorporated in the A350.  IniBuilds have done a really, really good job of that.  I was able to re-spawn just 4-5minutes before the TOD.

6 hours ago, AJZip2 said:

But what is needed from the pilot in terms of the actual ALT value?  Is it a case of winding down to each next way point height as you pass the previous one?  Or should you wind ALT down to the final approach height pre-ILS (c2500/3000ft) at the very beginning of the descent? 

I don’t speak Airbus so can’t be of specific help but generally it’s done like this on the Boeings.

Slightly different in the US compared to Europe, in the US you tend to get a “ descend via” clearance which means you plan your descent via the published restrictions on the STAR chart, in this case you’d set the lowest altitude restriction on the star in the MCP*  and let VNAV* manage the descent restrictions for you.
 

As you get nearer the actual approach you’ll either get vectors or the STAR lateral track will join the final approach course, so you’ll probably be cleared to the approach platform height so that would be set in the MCP*. There maybe an intermediate section of the approach on the approach chart before intercepting the ILS that needs to still be flown in VNAV* (or other vertical mode other than GP / GS) so in this case you’d set the FAF altitude until intercepting the GP.

Once you have GS capture its usual to then set your missed approach altitude, this may even be below your current altitude but don’t worry as once you have GS capture the aircraft will stick with GS and won’t capture the set altitude on the way down.

In Europe like the above but you don’t get “descend via” the controllers will keep giving you lower altitude clearances stepping you down, normally you’ll get the clearance to a lower altitude before you level off so it’s a continuous descent.

Other pilots here may have different procedures according to their SOPs so take the above as only one way of skinning a cat.

*= whatever Airbus call it

Edited February 24Feb 24 by jon b

3 hours ago, AJZip2 said:

Ignore the above (probably)!  Thank goodness for the 'Autosave' function.

I just repeated the Approach from last night's flight...and this time I was able to keep ILS engaged...all the way down to 500 feet, and then disengaged Autopilot and did a landing that got me a 'Nice Landing' comment from FSRealistic!!!!!  

I'm still interested what folks do with the ALT mentioned above but, for what it's worth, for this landing:

- A few miles before TOD, I turned the ALT down to the ILS entry altitude for EBBR (2000') and then pushed for 'Managed' descent, keeping my eye on speed ref capturing and keeping on the descent path.

- Shortly before the final turn, I 'Activated' the approach on the flightdeck computer and followed the Flaps prompts

- I then pressed the APPR button on the FCDU

- I turned Autothrottle OFF so that I could properly be in control of speed during ILS

- ILS was captured

- I progressively dropped the flaps to full

- Turned Autopilot OFF at around 500'

- put in a manual very light flare at around 30'

- touched down and applied reverse thrust

- I was able to turn off the runway around the halfway mark

I'm going to go and have a long rest in a darkened room!!  

There you go! Congrats!

6 hours ago, jon b said:

I don’t speak Airbus so can’t be of specific help but generally it’s done like this on the Boeings.

Slightly different in the US compared to Europe, in the US you tend to get a “ descend via” clearance which means you plan your descent via the published restrictions on the STAR chart, in this case you’d set the lowest altitude restriction on the star in the MCP*  and let VNAV* manage the descent restrictions for you.
 

As you get nearer the actual approach you’ll either get vectors or the STAR lateral track will join the final approach course, so you’ll probably be cleared to the approach platform height so that would be set in the MCP*. There maybe an intermediate section of the approach on the approach chart before intercepting the ILS that needs to still be flown in VNAV* (or other vertical mode other than GP / GS) so in this case you’d set the FAF altitude until intercepting the GP.

Once you have GS capture its usual to then set your missed approach altitude, this may even be below your current altitude but don’t worry as once you have GS capture the aircraft will stick with GS and won’t capture the set altitude on the way down.

In Europe like the above but you don’t get “descend via” the controllers will keep giving you lower altitude clearances stepping you down, normally you’ll get the clearance to a lower altitude before you level off so it’s a continuous descent.

Other pilots here may have different procedures according to their SOPs so take the above as only one way of skinning a cat.

*= whatever Airbus call it

Great information, @jon b.  Many thanks.

9 hours ago, P_7878 said:

Do you have any screenshots before and after you reached e.g., the IAF Fix?

I've actually taken some video of a successful descent and landing this evening.  I was in VR though and watching it through just, I was probably moving my head about too much for folks to watch it comfortably.  I'll give it another try tomorrow 👍

6 hours ago, RobJC said:

There you go! Congrats!

Well it had to happen once .  I'm sure there's loads of stuff I'm missing or getting wrong, but the basics must be there or thereabouts in terms of actually being able to land it at last!  Very pleasing. 

Great help from all you splendid folks out there!!

Test

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOBomNY0GeUNhrjZNRiu6NOfZdCeebqiQ9uLvv_

 

I've got a decent video - but as soon it goes through, eg, Youtube, the visual is degraded to a point that it is pretty unusable.  I can do some screen shots from the video...but can't for the life of me remember how to post an image.  The forum help stuff is out of date.  I used to use Imgur but the images are no longer visible in UK and so I think I used Google last time, hence the test above. 

Anyone know/remember how to post an image, eg the above, where it opens in the post without having to click the link?

Don't worry - I've found my notes from the last time I tried to post screenshots!

22 minutes ago, AJZip2 said:

Don't worry - I've found my notes from the last time I tried to post screenshots!

Good, @AJZip2.

Just in case you still need it...Someone else was asking recently, and here is instruction for a "free" image server, that does not require login, I believe.

The (below) thread is about an unrelated topic but go down to the end of the first page. I use a subscription-based image server, but this one also works for me.

 

 

Wish someone would change the title of this. Have a real world International Delta flight coming up and thinking there is something wrong with Delta Airlines Safety! 🙂

2 minutes ago, Torkermax said:

Wish someone would change the title of this. Have a real world International Delta flight coming up and thinking there is something wrong with Delta Airlines Safety! 🙂

I think it's too late for OP to change the Title, but the Moderators could if they think there is a need.

BTW, a (RW) Delta Air Lines retiree already pointed it out up at the start of the thread... 🙂...

Let's try this...

OK - that worked!  I'll see if I can post a series of shots of the key stages I used.  It might tale a little while - I have to say, the method of imbedding the photos is the clunkiest I've ever encountered... 

I'll have a peep at the one you flagged,  @P_7878 - it might be slicker.  Imgur used to work a treat but they weren't willing to pay the cost to put in age-verification which the UK now insists on.  The irony is that on a number of guitar and bass forums I've been in for years, all of my guitar and build and modding photos (there are hundreds which are all in Imgur) are not visible unless I go onto a VPN in a country that doesn't have the restrictions.  Hmmm...not sure that was the UK government's intention 

 

Edited February 25Feb 25 by AJZip2

Test 3

 

Hoorah!  I'll try this one @P_7878  

 

 

Edited February 25Feb 25 by AJZip2