Games PC MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2000 : User Guide : Page 142

Flight Simulator

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2000

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Microsoft

Tutorial 13: Understanding Instrument

Approaches

Okay, time to sit back in your easy chair, grab a soda, and get prepared to sip and learn. That’s right,

get comfortable because this tutorial won’t involve any flying. It’ll consist mainly of a friendly little

discussion about the principles of instrument flying. No, nothing super-secret is going to happen. No

special handshakes. No passwords. Specifically, we’ll talk about what an instrument approach is, and

why, when, where, and how it’s done. When you’re finished, you should be familiar enough to handle

a basic instrument approach

the kind the pros fly in their heavy-metal airliners.

VFR vs. IFR Flying

In our earlier lessons, we spent a great deal of time learning how to fly the airplane visually, by

looking at the horizon through the window. Pilots refer to this as flying VFR, which stands for flying

under Visual Flight Rules. But what happens when you can’t see the horizon, such as when clouds are

present? Can you still fly? Yes, you can fly IFR, otherwise known as flying under Instrument Flight

Rules.

IFR flight allows you to fly in the clouds using your airplane’sIFR flight allows you to fly in the clouds using your airplane’s

IFR flight allows you to fly in the clouds using your airplane’s

instruments to maintain control of the airplane and using yourinstruments to maintain control of the airplane and using your

instruments to maintain control of the airplane and using your

navigation equipment (such as VOR) to figure out where you are andnavigation equipment (such as VOR) to figure out where you are and

navigation equipment (such as VOR) to figure out where you are and

take you where you’re going. This can all be done in the cloudstake you where you’re going. This can all be done in the clouds

take you where you’re going. This can all be done in the clouds

without having to see outside—at least until you’re ready to land the airplane,without having to see outside—at least until you’re ready to land the airplane,

without having to see outside—at least until you’re ready to land the airplane,

that is. Landing the airplane always requires that you see the runway wellthat is. Landing the airplane always requires that you see the runway well

that is. Landing the airplane always requires that you see the runway well

enough to land. (Yes, even if you carry a lot of insurance and wear a helmetenough to land. (Yes, even if you carry a lot of insurance and wear a helmet

enough to land. (Yes, even if you carry a lot of insurance and wear a helmet

with a roll bar, you still need to see outside to land.)with a roll bar, you still need to see outside to land.)

with a roll bar, you still need to see outside to land.)

To fly IFR, pilots need an Instrument Rating, which is obtained after acquiring the Private Pilot

Certificate. It requires additional training in such things as maneuvering the airplane by its gauges,

advanced navigation, and so on (and you must also promise not to tell other pilots how much fun it

is, or everybody will want to do it). The bulk of instrument training deals with learning to scan the

instruments, just like you practiced in the three-step scan tutorials.

So you’re now ready to move beyond the instrument scan. You’re ready for the next level, which in

some computer games requires that you slay an enormous, fire breathing, multi-eyed beast. Well, not

today. Reholster your laser-phaser and sip that soda, Yoda, because we’re going to learn how to fly a

full-blown instrument approach.