On final forever!

Good Morning.

First, let me start off by saying that I am new and I suck at flying....now that I have that out of the way.

I was attempting my first IFR flight in to O'Hare last night with the Learjet and everything was going well right up to the final approach. ATC gave me a heading and I was told to descend and maintain 2700 Feet and that I was number 1 for landing. I made the left turn and I found my self at 2700 ft and less than 3 miles from the threshold. Needless to say, I waved off the landing.

Am I missing something here, or am I correct in thinking that ATC should have brought me in a little further out? When I fly IFR, and I am on auto pilot with APR set, shouldn't the plane essentially land itself.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

Yes, ATC does give you final vectors very late towards the runway. If I am using ATC vectors, then I'll descend just before the turn from 2800ft to be close to the glideslope when I'm laterally aligned.

The APP or APR button isn't an autoland feature. It is merely a means of descending on the glideslope via the AP and aligning laterally via the AP so is basically an automated approach. In any case, the AP should be disengaged fully by minimum of 200ft.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I thought about doing what you have suggested, but I didn't think dropping below the designated ATC altitude was a good idea.

If I might inconvenience you one more time (for now), about what altitude should I be at in the Lear to pick up the glideslope when I make the final turn?

Is this information available somewhere such that I may study it?

You're being of no inconvenience.

To intercept the glideslope, you should be at an altitude of no more than 3200ft otherwise, you'll encounter false GS lobes. I usually intercept the glideslope at 2800ft.

Have a read of this post:

http://flyawaysimulation.com/postt8080.html

LOL - Nope...would have been helpful if I had huh? My search did not turn it up.

Thanks again and take care.

99jolegg do u like post in every topic?

You paid 5 bucks to spam on there? Go away idiot.

Can you please behave a bit better and respect yourself and people around you?...Just a friendly request