Greetings Robert:> Must be something about the P-38's radio then. In several flights I have
> set the standby frequency on the COM radio to 120.60 and clicked the
> button to put the frequency in the active side of the COM radio and
> never heard ATIS while flying to, and parking at KSBP. On one occasion I
> awitched to another plane and the audio section of the radio stack was
> already showing the audio for COM active.
>
> Was a way to make the ATIS announcement match the persistant flights
> weather implimented? A few minutes ago I was reading a thread which
> indicated the automatic weather wasn't able to make the ATIS
> announcements change.
OK, I did a couple of tests and it turns out that if you connect to the PWF through FS directly (as opposed to the using the Flight Terminal), ATIS does not work. However, if you use the Flight Terminal or connect via FS directly, but do not enter the cockpit first before connecting, ATIS in the PWF does work.
I tried this with the P-38 as well, and it seems the problem is as described above and not with the P-38 COM stack.
> >What Vic does can work; pick one of the GPS 29 waypoints
> >(preferably an IAF on the final approach course) like
> >CADAB or HALDA.
>
> How would that help if someone wants to land on runway 11 (or wind
> direction demands it)? Of course we could fly past the field and do a
> procedure turn, but if we're going to do that we could forget about
> final approach fixes, overfly the field and enter the pattern. Since
> many runways don't parallel a VOR radial or have a localizer, a lot of
> landings must involve a significant amount of navigation by eye and
> compass anyway.
If you fly VFR, using your eye is exactly what you'd be using to find the airport and enter the pattern. How it should work is you use the GPS waypoints as a reference points to orient yourself to the airport if visibility isn't very good and/or if you're unfamiliar with the airport. If the runway in use at SBP is 11 for this example, you can still use one the GPS waypoints to help find the airport. However, note that you may not have to fly out to the waypoint because you may see the airport before you get there. Normally, once you have the airport in sight, you'd break off and enter the pattern for 11 using the entry as instructed by SBP tower.
I suppose I should also explain that these GPS waypoints that I listed above were selected because from Edwards, you'd be approaching from the south east.
> >> The GPS units in FS 2004 have built in approach vectoring
> capabilities
> >> that can be selected in flight as dictated by developing weather
> >> conditions.
> >
> >Just FYI, GPS vectoring requires ATC vectors (e.g. a live
> >or computer AI ATC controller).
>
> I thought we were flying VFR in the scheduled flights. The map doesn't
> seem to be indicating Class B or C airspace. I thought ATC would normaly
> leave VFR planes to their own navigation (mark one eyball, radio
> navigation or GPS) towards the Final Approach Fix.
ATC vectoring is available if there is radar service available. At KSBP, radar services are provided by Los Angeles Center ARTCC. However, vectoring is an IFR service.
> GPS vectors to FAF seems to work in FS 2004 while in the persistant
> flight on my system. I clicked the procedure button on the GPS and
> selected the approach to load and later for "vectors to final" in the
> manner listed in the learning center. The course to the Final Aproach
> Fix appeared on the left side of the GPS display. Once I crossed the
> FAF, the GPS showed the course towards the runway.
I think I understand what you're getting at now. You're using the GPS vectoring function of the GPS and not GPS vectoring procedure. Yes, as you've indicated, you can use it like that. But as you're probably aware, if the runway isn't the one you're expecting, there's a lot of button pushing (head down time) when you're near the airport (and other airplanes!). Not a good combination!
Ben
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