A300 Pilots: Got a question for you regarding landing ILS...

Are you using an addon? Is it payware? If you are using a payware addon, chances are it has a CDU that controls the FMC. This will work out your TOD (top of descent) and engaging VNAV (provided you have reset your altitude in the MCP to ILS interception altitude) will mean you automatically descend.

In the real world, they'll use a mixture of both. The PF (pilot flying) will have the descent profile but they'll need to obtain clearence from ATC to descend.

Well, it's two paid addons: A340 and Airbus Deluxe Vol. 1.

I would rather utilize the auto descend.

You mentioned that I would auto descend provided I reset the altitude in the MCP to ILS - this means that I need to press the ILS button? At what point do I do this?

In the DC 10, I generally wait for the instructions from the ATC. When they say something like "turn left.. until established on localizer...". then I hit APP. And follow their instryuctions. I think the A300 planes go a little different.

In real life ATC will usually get you to the proper altitude to start the ILS (even in RL you have to remind them you want a descent sometimes) But pilots need to take it upon themselves to know when to start descending to start their approach. The normal generic altitude to start ILS is 2500 or 2000 AGL. Then you start your final descent to the runway once you intercept glideslope.

If I'm not wrong, I read it somewhere on this forum. To calculate when to descend, you must multiply your Flight Level (in thousand's of feet) by 3 and add 10. This will give you the distance from your destination at which your descent is to start.
An example: I'm at FL360 and want to know at how many nautical miles from destination I must start descending. Therefore 36*3 + 10 = 118 nautical miles.

Heyjoojoo wrote:

Well, it's two paid addons: A340 and Airbus Deluxe Vol. 1.

I would rather utilize the auto descend.

You mentioned that I would auto descend provided I reset the altitude in the MCP to ILS - this means that I need to press the ILS button? At what point do I do this? Reset the altitude in the MCP to your ILS interception altitude which will be on the approach plate (use 2500ft as standard if you don't want to use plates). You don't press APP hold, or LOC until you are actually established on the localiser. You won't be established on the localiser until roughly 10nm away at 2800ft or less.

In the DC 10, I generally wait for the instructions from the ATC. When they say something like "turn left.. until established on localizer...". then I hit APP. And follow their instryuctions. I think the A300 planes go a little different. The last call from ATC in this regard is known as vectors to final, i.e. a heading that will allow you to intercept the localiser / glideslope.

How about if you just disengage the Alt. hold, watch the glideslope indicator and fly it down yourself!

Here's a lovely guide using the default 737 in fs9:

(dead link removed)

😎