Come on Blais. No need to close things out with a cheap shot. All this comment proves is that you're clueless as to why this program exists in the first place. Trip

I fly a Cherokee Six out of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Just as has been stated, when flying IFR into non controlled fields you can expect a clearance for the full approach. At the initial approach altitudes down here, you are often lost to center's radar as well as center's comms. At that point everything is per the approach plate including the missed approach procedure. Center is still protecting you however, by locking up the airspace around you until you clear with them after landing. I've had them call me to get a radio relay on another plane that had the airspace locked up because they hadn't received a cancellation. They won't let anyone else start an approach until they know for sure that preceeding aircraft have canceled IFR. What they can't protect you from though, are planes flying VFR in marginal conditions. You've got to especially be watching and listening when the weather is marginal VFR. When you break out there could well be VFR traffic in the pattern, hopefully announcing position on the local unicom frequency.

Sounds like Radar coverage is the key to this. I fly to non controlled fields where I live and still get vectored (Michigan).http://members.telocity.com/~geof43/Geofdog2.gif

You are right. They can't vector you below their Minimum Vectoring Altitude. As I understand it this is an absolute limit even if for some reason they can still see you on radar. Ultimately all responsibility for the safe conduct of a flight rests with the Pilot In Command. At non controlled fields until you reach Minimum Vectoring Altitude after takeoff and hear "RADAR CONTACT", its totally your show, save for center keeping the airspace cleared for you. It all works, but ATC is depending on pilots to follow all the rules, especially when they can't be "seen" by ATC. I'm repeating things explained very well in the RC3 manual. But it does attest to the accuracy of RC3's model. I'll also attest to the value of flying IFR on FS2002 with RC3. It really helps keep you sharp when you do it for real.

Goeff, Seems to me that the distance you are sent downwind depends on your chosen aircraft type in RC Options screen. Something like jets-20, turboprops-15, props-5 might be off a bit on the TP and Props. Works well for me to req short final if I think I'm going too far downwind for a particular airport, no matter what type of aircraft is ticked in options. :-)Best, Rob

The mystery of ATC!I fly instrument approaches into a number of remote fields here in Maine and Boston Center 180 miles away will vector me to final. I think they must have a remote Radar that was part of the old Loring AFB. Hec we even get full vectors to an NDB-B to a water landing at M57.This ended up being a pretty educational thread!Geofa - Nice looking aircraft! I got to do a short flight in a mid 1990's Bonanza the other day... I wish it was mine :( but Im shy a few $100K

>"my first inclination is to offer vectors. That however, should not be expected, as in policy"While I may have spent my share of "W0X0F" days playing cribbage with the local controllers, I certainly don't claim have superior practical knowledge (although I did unofficially work part of a shift at an FAA tower once! Completely illegal but great fun!). But isn't one of your goals to process aircraft through the system as expeditiously as possible? If N123 can be vectored for the NDB-B to KABC and be on the ground in 5 minutes vs. tying up your airspace for 15 doing the full procedure then wouldn't that be your first choice? I guess the difference would be at a satellite field that has unobtrusive airspace where you could "N123 direct ABC VOR cleared for VOR-A report PT inbound..." And I completely understand the issue of lack of radar coverage. I guess I'm thinking of it from the perspective of approaches into metropolitan areas.And yes this is a great discussion! I'd give my left pinky to spend more time behind the mic as a controller. You guys have great jobs!

Do they even have radar in Arkansas? I thought they just called bubba and asked if he could here one of those there aireoplanes over his trailer? :-eek Just kidding - I have inlaws (outlaws?) from the Clinton state so I had to get that one in!That hold on your first IFR XC sounded like a great experience. I'm not really a high timer, but I have NEVER received a hold clearance that wasn't requested by myself. I know what you mean about being alone. The NDB-A into KKLS requires you to drop like a rock at the NDB where you make a left 20^ turn, descend 700' and try to find the runway. On 7/15/91 as I made that turn the entire throttle assembly fell onto the floor. I was SOLID IMC and had to descend below minimums to make a (gliding) straight-in to rwy 11. As it turns out, once on the ground I was able to control power using two hands (the cable didn't break, the entire vernier assembly came out of its mounting bracket), but I really didn't have the opportunity to play shadetree mechanic at 1000' AGL in the soup - it's pretty much a power-off approach anyway so that was my best bet rather than screwing around on the floor and flying into the "cumulo-grannite" clouds on the hill to my left. The only thing that would have made me feel more alone would have been if it were at night (it was at about 10 AM). How long would it have taken the search crews to find the smoking hole?And yes, we all have a bunch of stories...

Thanks-I'll double check this but I am pretty sure I have prop selected and seem to get about a 20 mile downwind.http://members.telocity.com/~geof43/Geofdog2.gif

Wow! What a great story that one was! Mine pales in comparison. Thanks,Bob, Rogers, Arkansas

>On >7/15/91 as I made that turn the entire throttle assembly >fell onto the floor.Hmmmm. I'm not an expert on these technical matters, but I don't think that's supposed to happen. :)Sidney Schwartz [KPDX]Horizon Pilot--flight plans and scenery for FS2002http://sidneyschwartz.homestead.com/index.htmlhttp://jdtllc.com/images/RCbeta.jpg