[MY HOW-TO] Simple ILS landing with the AAU1 TBM

User Support Hub ATC, Traffic & NAVAIDs
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For all casual sim folks who are tearing their hair out with TBM and AAU1 ILS, here is my step-by-step “How I did it” by trial and error.

First, I have a very rudimentary understanding of flight systems and terms. I don’t really know what I’m doing. Please feel free to correct or add or modify any instructions here to make it more understandable.

So, this is for the “I just want to do an ILS land ANYWHERE” crowd. I found a short hop that only has three waypoints and seems pretty straightforward. Very short flight but long enough to do what needs to be done. Here we go…

World Map:
H88 Fredricktown Regional depart, KCGI Cape Girardeau arrive. Select IFR Low Altitude and Approach ILS Runway 10 for Cape Girardeau. Click FLY

Pilots Panel:

  1. Should be already at PFD. Change LOC1 to FMS.
  2. Switch to MFD (PFD, MFD, NAV COM buttons)
    (Optional) Click “Full” to see to the whole map. 15nm is a good map range that shows where we’re going
  3. Set altitude (I think 5000’ is what ATC assigns)
  4. Set VS (I do 2000’ here)
  5. Set NAV mode on (does nothing now but I did this so when I DIRECT TO to the first waypoint it’s already set)
  6. TAKE OFF!
  7. Turn on AP at some point (I do it when ATC says “Continue as planned”
    Since there’s no magenta line to latch on to, plane merrily flies straight
  8. In MFD, select Flight Plan
  9. Click TANZI (first waypoint if that’s what these things are called)
  10. Click Direct To →
  11. Click Activate TANZI
    Since NAV mode is already on, plane turns and follows the new magenta line that was just generated, taking you direct to TANZI
    Keep in mind that regardless of ATC, we need to be at 2200’ by time we get to DUTCH so just be at 2200’ at DUTCH however you do it
    At some point ATC clears for approach
  12. In MFD click Procedures
  13. Click Approach
  14. Click Activate (this seems to set the ILS radio frequencies automatically along with who knows what else)
    In this particular case I get a warning message about GPS NOT APPROVED. Yes anyway
  15. Active NAV changes to LOC1
    I think NO GS shows on the main display where the GS dot usually is
    Everything is set but the ILS radio isn’t activated
  16. Change to NAV COM section (PDF, MDF, NAV COM buttons)
  17. Click Audio and Radios
  18. Click NAV1 to turn green to activate/work.
  19. Click APR on the dashboard
    You should see the familiar blue GS dot
    As long as you’re at 2200’ around DUTCH your glideslope dot should start moving downward and you’ll ILS right into runway 10

A lot of this I don’t know WHY… I just stumbled on a “procedure” through trial and error that worked here. I basically did the same thing flying into Spirit of St Louis airport and after a bit of “oh this is a little different”, also found the right sequence to ILS to the ground

Man, I hope this helps somebody. If anyone can manage to use this to successfully do their first TMB AAU1 ILS landing I’ll be a happy guy.

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Recommend not using VS for climb - you run the risk of running out of airspeed while the plane attempts to maintain a 2000’ rate of climb. You will stall out and leave controlled flight.

Use FLC (Flight Level Change) instead and set the airspeed to 124 knots. This is the best climb speed possible in the plane as determined by testing and listed in the POH (Pilot’s Operating Handbook).

It’s also noted on the PFD airspeed tape if you use the Speed Bugs icon and turn ON all bug carets. Note the Y 124 which denotes Vy or best climb speed.

Instead of trying to maintain a 2000 foot per minute rate, the aircraft will stay at 124 knots and whatever climb rate you get at that speed is the best combination with a speed safety margin so you don’t stall.

Use VS for descent instead - with a recommended 1200 foot per minute rate which gives gentle 3.3 degree deck angle - very kind to the passengers so they don’t feel like they’re going to fall forward out of their seats.

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Thank you! This is what I was hoping for. My trial-and-error procedures sort of given some recommendations as what to do or when to do it. I’m hoping to gather enough info to maybe rewrite it with more “why” info. Right now I just sort of know to “do” (push this at this point, etc) but not always “why”. Activate Approach is a perfect example. It seems I should click it before reaching my first Approach waypoint otherwise the plane generates a new magenta (circle) line to follow back to the beginning. Other than that I don’t know what happens exactly when I do click it. That’s the kind of thing I can find if need be. Mostly as a casual flier, I just want to “do” and not be too concerned with being able to pass a Pilots ILS exam or whatever they give.

One thing for sure. The days of taking off and going out and playing a game of soccer while the plane flies itself completely unaided across the country are over (ha ha). Gotta actually pay attention. I had no idea how much was “hidden” or maybe artificially automated is a better term, prior to AAU1. Certainly makes flying now more immersive and focused.