Instrument Flying

"Chase the Needle(s)!" on the Course Deviation Indicator, "CDI". (Also known as "OmniBearing Indicator" when being used with VOR radios.) If it has info from a radio signal or GPS, its needles tell you where to fly. We are the little circle in the middle and we "chase the needle." This picture is telling me to fly UP a little, and turn LEFT a bit.

ILS 31L at KFJK is 111.35 frequency; see chart

ILS 34R at KSEA is 110.3 frequency; see chart [This scenario is downloadable from our X-Plane page, can be installed into folder X-Plane 11/Output/situations but you might have to put 110.3 into nav radio.]

“How to hold a glide slope, the secret” (https://youtu.be/-a-3xUAelvI) says regular 3° glide slope = 500 f/m @ 90k in Cessna 172. (More speeds & descent rates at http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/gs.htm ) Suggests slowing from cruise to glideslope by pulling power and holding altitude (staying level rather than nosing up) until speed is down to 90k, then nose down for 500f/m. On glide-slope use normal landing technique: pitch-for-speed and power-for-altitude (descent-rate)! (If change one, usually have to change the other.) Keep those gauges where they ought to be. Helps to know the appropriate power setting in advance: for c172 use 1700 rpm. Note from pilotworkshop commenters: “In my mind, the smarty-pants in the right seat makes sure the scaredy-cat in the left seat stays safe.”

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