DME arcs and autopilots
A question which a student asked me earlier today which I did not know the answer to: can the autopilot on a transport jet fly a DME arc, or does it involve some level of involvement from the pilots?
The question is not specific to any particular manufacturer, type or series, so I'd be interested to hear a variety of answers. Specifically, I'd be interested to hear about different manufacturers, and also about different levels of cockpit automation (for example, based on my knowledge of light aircraft autopilots, I would guess that it is extremely unlikely a steam-driven autopilot could fly a DME arc, but maybe it's more likely in a glass cockpit where an HSI bar or similar can automatically be set to the desired track???) Thanks! FFF -------------- |
Type aircraft, L1011.
Yes, it can reliably fly a DME arc provided it is in the FMS or GPS database or, if it is not, it can be manually inserted by the pilots (with a fair amount of button-pushing). Once on the localizer, it can then fly the nicest autoland you ever did see, bar none. Lockheed TriStar, simply the best. Still a few around, and I still fly one.....ahhhh, Lockheed! |
Well even the autopilots on light aircraft these days can fly you round a DME arc - eg G1000 and Bendix autopilot on a DA42 can fly you round an ARC DME.
Next generation autopilots on light aircraft - eg Garmin GFC 700 can even fly you round a hold pattern - take a look at this little film if you want to see the Garmin 1000 and GFC700 Autopilot in action in a Cessna 182. |
On the 737 you can fly perfect DME arcs if they are in the database. If not you can either approximate them close enough with custom made waypoints (radial/distance) or simply fly them with the heading bug.
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can the autopilot on a transport jet fly a DME arc does it involve some level of involvement from the pilots? You could always put it in HDG mode or even hand-fly it I suppose. :ok: |
Don't you wish you could try something different. Perhaps an Airbus of some sort to make you a more rounded pilot? Lets see... DC-3 DC-4 DC-6B (nice!) DC-7 1649 Constellation Fokker/Fairchild F.27/FH227 Lockheed JetStar Lockheed Electra Boeing 707 Lockheed TriStar Seems pretty 'rounded' to me. Not all that interested in an AirBus, however....a Gulfstream V would be nice.:ok: |
The Douglas B717 will fly a nice arc if it's in the database as part of an STAR or Approach, as mentioned for other types above.
Similarly one can create WPTs at the appropriate spacing to approximate the arc, and then fly a series of short straight sectors, or, use TRK/HDG to stay within tolerances. |
punkalouver you are wasting your breath.
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A320/1 will do it with its eyes closed so long as its in its database as an official procedure for an airport. All based on GPS navigation with dme updating just to be sure. Although some of the STARS we fly have a DME arc to bring you onto the localiser in reality we never fly them. Nice to see in training I guess but I wouldn't get hung up on them. Like most training you do such as full procedural turns/timed turns etc ATC will give you a vector onto the localiser to ensure the sequencing and flow of traffic is as efficient as possible. The only time I could think that you would do a full procedure and possibly fly a DME arc anyway is during a loss of comms and then again it would depend on what the Jeppesen manual says is applicable for the destination airport.
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The only time I could think that you would do a full procedure and possibly fly a DME arc anyway is during a loss of comms and then again it would depend on what the Jeppesen manual says is applicable for the destination airport. |
Thanks for all the useful input, everyone - it has been passed on to my students, who were most grateful, and I've learnt something new too.
Although some of the STARS we fly have a DME arc to bring you onto the localiser in reality we never fly them. Nice to see in training I guess but I wouldn't get hung up on them. Like most training you do such as full procedural turns/timed turns etc ATC will give you a vector onto the localiser.. Thanks again! FFF -------------- |
Absolutely true in the real world. FFF it's good to hear from an instructor who cares about the job, I've met too many over the years who don't and I'm sure it will show in your students. :ok: |
Actually not quite true. I have to fly DME arcs, procedures, circling approaches and even NDB's quite regularly, there are still many parts of Europe (and the world) without radar and ILS on every runway. I suspect they might have a fit without radar vectors...OMG!, I actually have to navigate and fly the aeroplane...what a nightmare!:ugh::ugh::ooh::rolleyes: |
what a nightmare! |
Yo can fly a Dme arc depends on the database of FMS or GPS. Anyway if you maintain a constant speed (Vapp) with the heading bug of the autopilot you should do the Dme arc without problems.
Cheers!:) |
Cabin baggage
Just a quiestion!
What is the best baggage with wheels for pilots or flight attendant ? Thanks!! |
Many 'newbys' that only fly within Europe are unlikely to appreciate DME arcs, and the very many destinations in (for example, Africa) which don't have radar |
Just a quiestion! What is the best baggage with wheels for pilots or flight attendant ? Thanks!! The best size is the one that fits in a 2.5nm DME arc, with the wheels being 0.1DME arc (and even better if it is a complete arc, else you'll have some trouble moving it). The most expensive come with an autopilot too.:} |
Although some of the STARS we fly have a DME arc to bring you onto the localiser in reality we never fly them. Nice to see in training I guess but I wouldn't get hung up on them. Like most training you do such as full procedural turns/timed turns etc ATC will give you a vector onto the localiser to ensure the sequencing and flow of traffic is as efficient as possible. Please avoid the more obvious "barbarians north of the wall" in your responses! |
north of Aberdeen suspect they might have a fit without radar vectors...OMG!, I actually have to navigate and fly the aeroplane...what a nightmare!:ugh::ugh::ooh::rolleyes: |
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