User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado

141

Finally, when the DME reads 2.4 miles, you’re at CULVE intersection (position L). Since no lower

altitudes are shown in the profile view, you need to go to the minima section (position D) for the final

and lowest altitude to which you can descend. The minima section shows 660 feet as the minimum

descent altitude (MDA). To go any lower, you must have the airport in sight. You must also have at

least one-mile flight visibility (shown in the minima section next to the 660 feet) to go below the

MDA.

If you don’t have the airport in sight (and the one-mile visibility) by the time you fly over the VOR,

you’re required to execute a missed approach. Therefore, if the VOR flag flips from TO to FROM and

you don’t have the airport in sight, you must fly the missed approach procedure (position M). This

procedure takes you to a safe altitude from which you can plan your next approach.

Would you like to try this approach? Great! Put down that soda and let’s do it.

1. From the Flights menu, click Select Flight, and choose Tutorial 14, Situation 1.

The simulation places you about 5 miles northeast of DARTS intersection in VFR conditions on a

heading of 212 degrees at 4,300 feet. Your DME is set to read the distance from the SMO VOR

(it now shows 18.0 miles from the VOR). The autopilot’s altitude and heading hold modes are

active.

2. Press P to activate the simulation, and deactivate the autopilot by pressing Z.

3. Descend to the MAP using the minimum altitudes shown on the approach course and try to

keep your airspeed at 100 knots. Remember to use your DME to determine your location along

the instrument approach course.

4. Press P again to pause when you’re at the MAP.

Now let’s try the same approach in instrument conditions.

1. From the Flights menu, click Select Flight, and choose Tutorial 14, Situation 2.

This lesson has a ceiling of 700 feet with 1.5 miles flight visibility. If and when you make visual

contact with the runway, attempt a landing. Remember, don’t leave the MDA until you have the

runway in sight and at least one-mile visibility (you’ll have more than the required visibility

because I programmed this simulation for a visibility of 1.5 miles). Give it a try.

2. Press P to activate the simulation and, when you’ve landed, press P to pause the simulation.