How to land a 747-400 PMDG

[stepbk]

Hi Guys

Im new to flight simular PMDG 747-400.
I have been trying to practice flying using FMC and stars and sids.
I have one problems, it might sound stupid.
I know how to take off and follow the route to destination,
but when i get to close to destination (eg Sydney YSSY).
I could line up the plane to the runway or even know when to descent.
Can someone please help me.
I would love to know how to do a ILS landing.
please helppppppppppppppppppppp.

[Skylar]

in The departures/arrivals section of the FMC, select the runway, or the SID+runway (whichever you are using).

Make sure to have LNAV VNAV and the AP engaged. Descend to intercept the localizer at the published altitude (FMC will say which altitude to be at). You can either go for a straight shot, or intercept it from an angle (the localizer). When you are getting close, make sure to engage the "LOC" or localizer button (don't have my pmdg open so cannot remember exactly what it says, but it is the topmost button on the far right side of the MCP). This will automatically change your heading and follow the localizer. Once you hit the localizer, engage your APP (approach) button, and set your altitude to zero so the plane can follow the glideslope.

Do note that this will now fly it via the heading knob specifically, so do not move that when intercepting the localizer, it will change automatically. After you intercept it and your plane is following the localizer/glideslope for the ILS, your VNAV and LNAV will turn off, and your SPEED will be displayed -- you need to manually change this for your approach and landing.

If you allow it to fully autoland, I'd recommend disengaging autothrottles at about 100 feet AGL (when it calls it out), then set idles to reverse at 50 feet AGL. The plane should then begin a very shallow flare at roughly 30 feet AGL.

Hope that helps :)

[stepbk]

Thanks for your help.
I will try it. I have bought the angle
of attack and I have been spending most
of my time watching it. Lol.
Thanks again.

[BishBash]

You may also consider joining a virtual airline such as
http://www.flyuk.aero/en/index_home.php

Where they offer free training sessions by very helpful guys (i used to be one of the TA staff) on many subjects and have in depth ils documents.

Regards

steve

[stepbk]

Thanks for your post.
I know I sound stupid. I have tried many ways but just cant manage it.
I program the FMC to takeoff and cruice but when I get close to destination
i don't know when to decent or how much to decent.
Once i put the SIDS and the Runway to land, the FMC displays "ROUTE DISCON"
and then everything goes to crap from there, hahaha.
I need like a idiot guide to land the 747.

[BishBash]

For descent my preffered way is the x3 rule.
For eg:- cruising at FL330
Remove the zero, 33x3= 99
Add a bit to be sure 99+20=119 rounded up 120
At 120nm from destination i switch off vnav,mcp to desired altitude, set vsi to -1800fpm,set speed req (ref 737-800)

The above is my preffered way.
Thats a very basic explanation, as for route disconections can be various reasons, what is the route you are using and what airac cycle.

regards

steve

[Sean Nixon]

set vsi to -1800fpm

From Bill Bulfers FMC User's Guide:

"Think of Vertical Speed as "Very Special". With the exception of three specific situations, some mode of autoflight other than V/S is probably more appropriate".

I have yet to discover what those 3 situations are however! :roll:

[BishBash]

From Bill Bulfers FMC User's Guide:

"Think of Vertical Speed as "Very Special". With the exception of three specific situations, some mode of autoflight other than V/S is probably more appropriate".

I have yet to discover what those 3 situations are however! :roll:

lol, I never seem to have much luck letting vnav control descent, maybe because i dont enter winds aloft data but hey ho i like it this
way as it gives me more to do in flight and when being vectored around etc by atc.

just now sold some old gym equipment,yes, more money in the flightsim pot.

regards

steve