Simviation Forum - Flying an ILS Back-Course approach?

Jun 17^th, 2009 at 4:30am

Stewy44 Offline
Colonel
Giggety Giggety!
(Sim)Flying in Europe and Asia

Posts: 141

G'day guys,

Sorry for the dumb question - tried some searching on the net and couldn't find what I was looking for.

For Airports which only have one ILS for the runway - how do I fly a back-course approach?

Can you please explain in dumb-dumb language and let me know if I can get a glideslope and localizer or just a localizer?

Thanks guys for your help!
Stew

FS9 - the only way you can fly a 747 while drinking beer

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Reply #1 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 7:17am

Brett_Henderson Offline
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EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

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There is no glide-slope with a "back-course"..The theory is to just fly it like a localizer-only approach (i.e. no glide-slope), except the localizer is backwards.

If you have basic equipment; like a basic Nav-radio and simple ILS-capable VOR head (gauge).. instead of "chasing" the needle to keep it centered, you "run" from it.

If you have an HSI, you can dial in the ILS heading (even though you're landing heading will be the inverse).. then at least your left/right information is correct.. you just have to ignore the directional reference.. You see here, I'm on runway 34, where the ILS is for runway 16

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Reply #2 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 9:36am

DaveSims Offline
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Clear Lake, Iowa

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Posts: 2453

Stewy44 wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 4:30am:

G'day guys,

Sorry for the dumb question - tried some searching on the net and couldn't find what I was looking for.

For Airports which only have one ILS for the runway - how do I fly a back-course approach?

Can you please explain in dumb-dumb language and let me know if I can get a glideslope and localizer or just a localizer?

Thanks guys for your help!
Stew

And don't ever let someone tell you there is a glideslope on the localizer backcourse, even if the needle is moving. We used to have an instructor that taught if the needle picked up a glideslop indication, you could use it. It is a false signal and could send you into the ground.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #3 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 10:02am

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

Gender:
Posts: 3593

DaveSims wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 9:36am:

Stewy44 wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 4:30am:

G'day guys,

Sorry for the dumb question - tried some searching on the net and couldn't find what I was looking for.

For Airports which only have one ILS for the runway - how do I fly a back-course approach?

Can you please explain in dumb-dumb language and let me know if I can get a glideslope and localizer or just a localizer?

Thanks guys for your help!
Stew

And don't ever let someone tell you there is a glideslope on the localizer backcourse, even if the needle is moving. We used to have an instructor that taught if the needle picked up a glideslop indication, you could use it. It is a false signal and could send you into the ground.

EGAD

It scares to think about instructors out there, like that. Angry

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Reply #4 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 10:06am

DaveSims Offline
Colonel
Clear Lake, Iowa

Gender:
Posts: 2453

Brett_Henderson wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 10:02am:

DaveSims wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 9:36am:

Stewy44 wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 4:30am:

G'day guys,

Sorry for the dumb question - tried some searching on the net and couldn't find what I was looking for.

For Airports which only have one ILS for the runway - how do I fly a back-course approach?

Can you please explain in dumb-dumb language and let me know if I can get a glideslope and localizer or just a localizer?

Thanks guys for your help!
Stew

And don't ever let someone tell you there is a glideslope on the localizer backcourse, even if the needle is moving. We used to have an instructor that taught if the needle picked up a glideslop indication, you could use it. It is a false signal and could send you into the ground.

EGAD

It scares to think about instructors out there, like that. Angry

There are some winners out there. Once you understand how an ILS works and where the antennaes are located, you understand why the glideslope won't work on the backcourse, but there is a chance of receiving a ghost signal due to wavelength and signal bounce and all that stuff. There is also a ghost signal usually higher than the actual glideslope, which is why you should always intercept the glideslope from underneath.

Dave

www.flymcw.com

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Reply #5 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 10:32am

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

Gender:
Posts: 3593

Fortunately... if you ARE flying an instrument approach, you understand the whole system well enough to KNOW if you're getting a bad signal.. You've got the plate in front of you; know where you are Cool

(unless of course your instructor was that guy) Roll Eyes

Plus.. ATC would say, "hey, poo-for-brains.. what exactly are you trying to do ?"

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Reply #6 - Jun 17^th, 2009 at 5:31pm

Stewy44 Offline
Colonel
Giggety Giggety!
(Sim)Flying in Europe and Asia

Posts: 141

Thanks guys - great responses! I really appreciate your help!
Stew

FS9 - the only way you can fly a 747 while drinking beer

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