The aircraft vectoring by ATC in FS9 is pretty poor to say the least. I was hopeing RC4 would handle vectoring more intelligently. I was approaching Biggin Hill in the UK near to Heathrow, ATC vectored me 15 miles downwind and 7 miles across wind for an ILS approach to rwy 21. This took me across the approach path to Heathrow's runways 27.My question is why does RC4 ATC vector a Beech Baron 58 so far away from the airfield. In real life a B747 is only vectored about 10 miles downwind at Heathrow.Glen

>The aircraft vectoring by ATC in FS9 is pretty poor to say>the least. I was hopeing RC4 would handle vectoring more>intelligently. I was approaching Biggin Hill in the UK near to>Heathrow, ATC vectored me 15 miles downwind and 7 miles across>wind for an ILS approach to rwy 21. This took me across the>approach path to Heathrow's runways 27.>>My question is why does RC4 ATC vector a Beech Baron 58 so far>away from the airfield. In real life a B747 is only vectored>about 10 miles downwind at Heathrow.>>GlenGlen,The vectoring algorithm establishes the aircraft in a position to intercept the LOC prior to capturing the glideslope. Since the glideslope angle is fixed, regardless of aircraft type you will be vectored to the same exact point in space.RC4 (as did RC3) provides the option to "request short final". In that case, approach will turn you much sooner.Finally, if you have the field in sight you could always request a visual approach.-michaelRC4 Beta Team

Michael,Thanks for pointing out the 'Request short final' option I missed that one.I still think 15 miles is a long vector for an approach, I think I was at 2500ft intercepting the glide slope should be at about 7-8 miles.Glen

i can pull capt. trig into this with his sin(phi)*d - cos(theta) if you want :-)one thing to check, is the msa on the controller's page - compare that to the msa on your charts. if they are different, update the msa on the controller's page, and send me a note, and i'll make a changeyou have to keep in mind, we're trying to be 100% reliable at every airport, every hour of every day. sometimes it may not be optimum for the specfic location.

Hi jd,I was looking at this. We have the msa as 2400 feet so it was quite a long downwind. Something to look at when the rush has died down!All the best,John (aka Capt Trig)

Hi jd,I was looking at this. We have the msa as 2400 feet so it was quite a long downwind.All the best,John (aka Capt Trig)

>Michael,>>Thanks for pointing out the 'Request short final' option I>missed that one.>>I still think 15 miles is a long vector for an approach, I>think I was at 2500ft intercepting the glide slope should be>at about 7-8 miles.>>GlenGlen,I'd have to defer to our real-world controllers on the team to address what is typical regarding the length of the final when flying an instrumemt approach.Meanwhile, I see that "Capt Trig" is looking into your specific case! ;-)-michael

And there seems to be two of him :-( Don't know how I managed the double post!All the best,John