Autoland (APPR) Tutorial

Infinite Flight Autoland: ILS Approach

This tutorial explains how to use Infinite Flight’s Autoland feature, also called approach mode or APPR, for an ILS landing. The demonstration uses runway 28R at San Francisco International Airport.

Setup and approach procedure

1. Tune to the runway’s ILS. Open the map, select the airport, go to the runways page, and choose the landing runway. Select Set NAV 1; the ILS appears in green when it is in range. Then, in the navigation tab, set the navigation source to NAV 1 so the aircraft can track the ILS.

2. Meet the three conditions for a proper APPR approach:

   • Intercept the localizer at no more than a 30-degree angle. For runway 28R, headings from 250° to 310° are given as suitable examples for a shallow intercept.
   • Be below the glideslope before APPR establishes the aircraft on the localizer. The presenter recommends allowing a long final, then leveling at about 3,000 feet AGL when roughly 15 miles out.
   • Be at or below 200 knots before activating APPR.

3. Activate approach mode. When established on a suitable intercept and meeting the altitude and speed conditions, open the autopilot tab and select APPR NAV. The aircraft holds the intercept angle while the localizer needle moves toward the center, then captures and follows the localizer. When the glideslope comes into range, APPR begins the final descent and follows both localizer and glideslope guidance.

4. Manage the aircraft as it prepares to land. Make small speed and configuration changes to keep the aircraft stable. The presenter’s technique is to turn off autothrottle, reduce power gradually while slowing, and lower the flaps and landing gear. Reactivate autothrottle once the aircraft reaches the desired final-approach speed.

5. Monitor the landing. Continue monitoring speed and watching for traffic. The aircraft can complete the landing and apply the runway brakes. Alternatively, disconnect the autopilot at the chosen minimums and hand-fly the final moments.

Speaker and source

• Presenter/narrator: The tutorial’s speaker; not named in the subtitles.
• Source: Infinite Flight tutorial.