User Guide

Flight Simulator
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Microsoft
A Variation of the VOR Approach
There are several variations to the VOR instrument approach procedure. Once you master these,
you’ll have no problem interpreting any approach chart. For instance, Figure 2 is the VOR approach to
Long Beach, California. (You’ll notice that there is a slight difference in chart format between Figures
1 and 2. Within the next couple of years, all approach charts will eventually change to the format
shown in Figure 2.)
The approach consists of two main segments. The first segment is the 300-degree course to the SLI
VOR (tune the VOR to 115.7 MHz and set the OBS to 300 degrees). The minimum altitude along this
route is 1,500 feet as shown by position A.
Once the TO/FROM flag flips and reads FROM, you need to turn and track outbound on the 275-
degree course (position B), which leads you to the airport. Since the profile doesn’t show any
minimum altitudes for this section of the procedure, look at the minima section of the chart (position
C). You’re allowed to descend to 560 feet on this approach. Where’s the missed approach point? It’s
based either on time (start your timer at the VOR and count down the time for a given ground speed)
or a DME reading from the VOR. Both of the missed approach points are shown at position D.
Would you like to try this approach? Great!
1. From the Flights menu, click Select Flight, and choose Tutorial 14, Situation 3.
I’ve placed you approximately 5.5 miles southeast of the SLI VOR on the 300-degree course.
Your navigation radio is set.
2. Fly this approach at 100 knots.
3. Press P to activate the simulation and, when you’ve landed, press P to pause the simulation.
If you’d like to try the approach with a ceiling of 600 feet (that’s 40 feet above the lowest
minima) and 1.5 miles flight visibility, try Tutorial 14, Situation 4.
The Racetrack Course Reversal
One last note on this approach chart. Notice the racetrack pattern shown in the plan view (position
E). This is one of two means of course reversal. (A course reversal is sometimes called a procedure
turn.) If you’re heading to the VOR from the north, it’s too sharp a turn to cross the VOR and fly the
275-degree course toward the airport. Therefore, you should cross the VOR and reverse course.
Flying a heading of 120 degrees (position F) allows you to go opposite the inbound course. From here
you’ll turn to intercept the 300-degree course to the VOR and fly the 275-degree course toward the
airport once you’ve crossed the VOR station. Simply stated, your objective is to try and stay within the
boundaries of the racetrack as you reverse course (it’s a tad more technical than this but at least you
get the idea). If you stray outside these boundaries, you’re not given protection for terrain. Of course,
in a simulator, this is no big deal. You may conk a few simulated mountain goats on the head, but so
what? Since we’re practicing to develop real flying skills, however, let’s pretend this is real. So, what’s
the minimum altitude to fly the racetrack course reversal? This is shown in the profile view as 1,500
feet (position G).