Due to a bug with my standard G1000 (it was showing all X’s instead of numerical data) i decided to update to the nxi version which solved it, however ive noticed when flying a course using the AP and then NAV buttons, on approach to the destination runway it doesn’t automatically switch (it goes green) to APR mode so the plane can automatically land by following the ILS beam.
I tried switching by pressing the APR button but 9 out of 10 times it doesn’t work. I got lucky earlier today and it switched but i’m not sure when to press APR button, how can i find this out? I know its going to be when i’m not far out from the destination runway, at a certain height, and probably when lined up, but should i be pressing APR when i reach a particular waypoint?
I was attempting it at EGGP runway 09. I had the correct ILS frequency entered. Any help appreciated.
Tl;dr why don’t ILS approaches work the same on nxi G1000 as the regular G1000.
APR isn’t an automatic mode. You must arm APR (by pressing the APR button on the G1000 Bezel) after passing the Initial Approach Fix (IAF) but before reaching the Final Approach Fix (FAF), which are pre-defined waypoints as listed on the approach plate for the runway and type of guidance used. Suffice it to say, you should also be at or slightly below the FAF’s Altitude Constraint in order to capture vertical guidance successfully.
APR shows armed by displaying a White-colored GS (ILS) or GP (RNAV) indicator in the Scoreboard Annunciator at the top of the PFD. For ILS, assuming the frequency is correctly set in NAV1 (do not assume, manually check the radio stack and cross-check against the approach plate - auto population of ILS frequencies isn’t a given), CDI will switch from GPS (Magenta) to the Lateral Localizer (Green) first after entering the ILS feather as noted on the approach plate, then typically GS will capture as early as the Middle Marker (you’ll hear the beep followed by a flashing M next to the altitude tape). GS will switch from White to Green and your aircraft will start descending to follow the slope.
You need access to the Approach Plates for a given airport. There are many freeware options such as SkyVector and Chartfox. There are also paid subscriptions like Navigraph.
