Manual zero visibility landing: Any tricks?

#1

Before I start: I know there are some simular topics regarding low visibility landings. They are very general though. This topic is specifically about manual landings without any usage of autopilot and APPR.

I love challenging flights. One of the most challenging things for me is to land manually at zero visibility (and if possible some strong winds).

After some training I’m able to land by now even though there is no visibility. The problem: The approach still isn’t very beautiful.

I can’t get myself stabilized on the runway indicator and glidescope if I don’t have any visual orientation yet. I think it’s all about training, but maybe you guys know some things that could help here. I already try to use my flight plan as an additional landing guidance, still it’s not very helpful.

This is how my manual approach with the A320 looked in Philadelphia today. Visibility: 1/4sm

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#2

It’s all about using the ILS when in low vis conditions. If you can’t seem to get on the runway, just look at the Runway’s heading and once centered on the localizer, stick to that heading.

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#3

I would say its important to make very slight corrections, making sure you don’t over-correct too much. Also understand that the instruments will become more sensitive as you get closer to the runway.

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#4

This doesn’t apply when there are 10+ knot winds. In that situation, depending on the wind velocity and direction, go a little off the heading.

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#5

Well, that’s the thing, isn’t it?

If you’re in IMC, you won’t have any visual guidance from your surroundings, so the instruments are what you have.

If you don’t already, make sure Bearing to Next is one of your items on the info bar. You can use that, along with your Heading and FP to line up a 30-degree or less intercept of the localizer.

After that, it’s just a matter of using the localizer and glidescope. Localizer in middle: good. Not: bad. [And, yeah, obviously, wind plays a factor, so your track vector is important. Honestly, I never worry about runway heading. Very rarely can you ever just set runway heading and leave it. I look at the localizer and track vector and go from there.

Make small corrections as you are further out. You don’t need to jerk back and forth. Plenty of time to slide over if the wind is pushing you one way or the other. But certainly don’t keep setting runway heading in a crosswind.]

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#6

Use the glide slope and localiser, they help a lot!

How do you get that 3D Imagery from your flight?

#7

Forgot to put that in mind. Sorry 👍🏻

#8

He used LiveFlight’s KML Feature exclusively for Horizon Subscribers.

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#9

I have to focus more on the instruments instead of the runway (which I can’t see anyway), you’re right. Thanks!

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#10

Thanks for this detailed advice Tim! I’ll try to focus more on the instruments and on making less aggressive corrections in some training flights.

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#11

Approach minimums exist for a reason. For ILS approaches, they are usually around 200-250 AGL (the exact info can be retrieved from charts). If you reach that altitude and can’t see the runway, go around! If you need to, divert. Don’t try flying the impossible is my best suggestion.

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#12

Huh! Ok, thanks for the info.

#13

Based on the KML image you shared it would be fair to say that you are perhaps making too big of a heading correction. When you’re on the localizer, corrections for heading should be kept to a minimum; ensuring that you have that needle centered.

A constant scan needs to be done looking at your airspeed, altitude, localizer, glideslope etc. If you get a scan of your instruments established you can fly the approach just like the autopilot. 🤫

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#14

The ultimate trick was indeed that I need to put my visual focus on the runway and glidescope indicator. Found a pretty good way to train landings that way (see the pictures).

Not perfect yet, but way better. Thanks again for your advice @Nate_Schneller, @DeerCrusher and @Tim_B.

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#15

this is great! didn’t even think about just putting my screen focus down and do everything based on instruments to train.

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#16

When I do GCAs I use the 3-2 technique. Intercept about 10 degrees offset then when on the final approach course if you go off track use 3 degree correction once back use 2 degree counter correction. Remember your approach minimums though should be able to proceed visually at DA/DH.

#17

MaxSez: Assuming Manual yr referring to VFR procedures on final where and instrument rating is not required. Seems to me there are some minimums to be considered prior to attempting any landing in 0/O IMC in VFR. As described you must “go around” or yr in violation. Even Catlll IFR has mins. Belive a FAR review with paragraph cited is required to satisfy this Topics logical ansewer.

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#18

Why on earth would you want to fly a manual approach to land in zero visibility?

CAT III Autoland has a minimum visibility of 75m at Heathrow. Even with a fully protected ILS approach and autoland it’s pretty scary in the front!

It’s not only the approach that is the limiting factor it’s also the roll out and then finding your way off the runway and to a gate.

I understand it’s a game but you are trying to add levels of complexity that really don’t need to be added and, in real life, would be illegal! Minimums, not visual = automatic go-around!

(after over 30 years of flying I don’t feel I would have the skills to fly an ILS down to the runway in 75m visibility, the beam deviation gets severe the closer you get to the ILS antennas and the chances of you actually making a 45m wide runway are extremely slim.)

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#19

Because it’s challenging and fun.

Of course, if someone would do that in real life, he would probably loose his license faster than the speed of light.

But here’s the deal: It’s a simulator. It’s a game. Nobody will take away my pilot license I draw and put in my wallet (I didn’t, that was a joke. Swiss humour at its finest).

I try to practice my landing skills. And here’s a fun fact about me: I always start with the hardest option. When I was given a task with multiple difficulty levels back in school, I started with the most difficult one. If I was not able to solve it, I switched to an easier one and tried the hardest later again.

That’s why I’m doing this. If I’m able to land manually with almost no visibility, I can land with every visibility. If I’m able to land with wind gusts that would literally blow you away in real life, I can land with any winds.

At the end of the day, it’s about fun. I try to play as professional as possible. I don’t want to harm or disturb anyone in game and I follow the rules. I even reached Grade 5 today. But I also want to have fun and enjoy this game as much as possible. That’s why sometimes I add an additional level of difficulty.

Have a great day or night; and Happy Landings!

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#20

Perfectly understand that but you have to be aware that there are, in reality, no ‘tricks’ as it’s a game.

If you want something then all I would say is you have to completely nail the localiser and glideslope. They get ridiculously lively the closer in you get.

Also, the Boeings, tend to crab and cross control at about 150’ in autoland mode and kick straight in the flare. I would suggest that if the programmers of the autoland system wrote this in it would be a good system to follow! I can’t remember how the Airbus does it as it’s been a while since I’ve flown it! I’m sure there’s someone who can help though.

Good luck!!!

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