A related question. Not having spent too much time in the jumpseat, I was wondering when the A/P captures the LOC (typically). i.e. how many dots away from the centreline?
I understand it varies depending on groundspeed, intercept angle, etc, but would you ever get capture prior to "localizer alive" (e.g at a large intercept angle, relatively close to the runway). My books tell me you can get Loc capture at up to 120 degrees left or right from the centreline. I see why an omnidirectional tail antenna would be useful in this circumstance (the nose LOC antennae would not pick up the signals at such angles because of shielding).
Thanks
Cheers
NSEU