Having experienced ATC in FS 9 I am trying to learn what to expect in RC 4 in this situation noted above. This information will accelerate my learning curveWith FS 9 ATC I might expect to be vectored to intercept a final approach fix for ILS at about a 30 degree angle, about 2,000 feet AGL. For most add on autopilots the intercept must be below the glideslope to capture.Recently approaching San Jose International 12 Right ILS from the north I was "cleared to descend to 4,600 [ cannot recall the exact number but it was the MSA] turn to XXX and intercept etc. The intercept course was way off and I never would have intercepted the glideslope and I may well have misunderstood it [not my main concern here] but it would have been a shallow intercept [ I assume 30 degree intercepts are not typical in real life ATC environment?]. I might otherwise, being over the Bay have expected a lower altitude clearance to intercept the glideslope from below.so,1. Will the final altitude clearance RC 4 gives me allow me to intercept the glideslope from below successfully if I just proceed on course at the final clearanc altitude?2. Is the 30 degree intercept fictitious in real life, ie is RC 4 more flexible or realistic in that a shallower intercept is OK if it is in direction of travel anyway?3. Is the MSA intended to allow safe arrival in hilly terrain, and if so what is the radius from the airport it refers to. In part of the manual there is mention that RC4 can steer you into a mountain, later in one of the tutorials there is mention of 'one cannot select an altitude from the menu lower than 13,000 due to to the presence of mountains'. Then there is mention of MSA around airports. My question is that if one is in realistic ILS one may not be able to see the ground and hence determine when it is safe to descend visually. So with arrival in hilly terrain how does one decide when to dip below MSA in a vectored approach if one cannot see the ground? or does one just continue at MSA until intercepting the glideslope.Thanks for help on these questions.Greg

Greg,The capture angle for the ILS is 30 degrees more or less across the globe. The RC co-developer - Doug Thompson - is a r/w AT controller at Memphis so I'm sure that the correct procedures have been followed throughout the program.To get onto your specific questions...1. Yes, you will be cleared down to an altitude taking the MSA into account so that you will be below the glideslope when intercepting the ILS. You will be cleared down at your discretion. With the jets and heavies the intercept point is around 13 miles out. For mountainous areas you should check the NOTAMS box. The MSA at KSJC is 4,600ft which will be taken into account for that arrival.2. No, it's fixed and realistic.3. I believe the MSA extends to around 30-40 miles. RC doesn't know the direction of high ground relative to the airport so you have to 'help' it. Providing you check NOTAMS on the Controller Page you will be cleared down to lower altitudes at your discretion. There's no nagging in that mode if you're slow to descend. Once you've intercepted the glideslope and localiser you should be safe to follow it. I don't know of any airport in the world where it would not be safe to do this.Hope that helps.