Hi, just wondering… Is it possible to perform full autopilot landing using RNAV approach which has certain offset? Like in Truckee-Tahoe, RNAV 11, for example? When i use autopilot approach, glidepath is captured using approach mode but lateral navigation guides me to the buildings far right of the rnwy11. Am i supposed to take it manually And make final left turn for final leg of the approach or can it be somehow managed by AP? Thanx for clarification
From what I know, auto landing is not available except if you turn every AI assistance to « on ».
RNAV isn’t a precision approach. It’s not designed for you to fully autoland using it. It’s there for your autopilot to position itself to the runway, and once you have visual, you’re suppse to disengage AP and handfly it down to the runway.
Even when the RNAV is not at an angle to the runway, it’s not supposed to be used as autoland, if it’s at an angle, all the more reason to disengage AP and manually turn when you have visual.
Only ILS which is a precision approach is allowed to use Autoland, and that’s only if you don’t have an offset localiser. And usually under certain ILS category conditions.
Using ILS works just fine, nearly no manual input needed except time to flare. Approach mode guide me just before this point, alligned with rnwy and at correct altitude, same for RNAV with vertical guaidance (usualy). But this time i found myself heading incorect (literaly said i was just crossing the rnwy) way and i ultimately missed the rnwy. I found afterwards that this particular rnwy has in charts note about final offset of some degrees. And it seems to me that autopilot completely ignore this and guides me the original heading resulting in collosal missed approach. Just wanted to clarify if i am doing something wrong during the AP approach, or if i am supposed to take it manually to conpensate this offset
I thing that the last answer clarifies that i need to manually conpensate the last part of all types of approach except it is ILS with no Loc offset, got it and thanks a lot. I am glad that i am not doing it wrong, IT IS meant to be like that
Then again, sometimes when you’re lucky where your GPS accuracy is really high and your descent setup and timing is spot on, an RNAV approach can behave like a precision approach. Just like how I do it here.
Nice… I am usualy not that “lucky”, not yet
So far i’d rather have no pax onboard… Just to kill myself and me alone.
OT: Is there a chance to control descend manually and let the AP do the steering? Like I am using the pitch trim and AP does the heading? It automaticaly goes to alt hold mode when I engage AP and it cannot be switched off. Reducing thrust leads usualy only to stall… Manual trim does nothing. Changing altitude is possible only by VS a select desired altitude? Is it different on airliner and on other proppeler planes?
A RNAV / RNP approach will never become a precision approach even if it has vertical guidance. RNP approaches with vertical guidance (LNAV / VNAV or LPV) have their own approach category, APV (Approach with Vertical Guidance). There is only one GPS based approach which is considered a precision approach, namely GLS (GPS Landing System).
No in real life this is not possible. Either the autopilot is in control or you are, but not 50/50. There might be autopilots with a Control Wheel Steering option on only one axis, but not common. Pitch trim can not be used on autopilot, in real life the autopilot disengages upon manual trim activation.
Many thnx for replies… I am newbie and curious
Now to teach myself how to not slam the ground at angle with only left wheel and not to bounce back to the Air few times. Main focus is now on to be able to make accurate landing everytime and not just time to time.
You know what I mean… of course, it’ll never be a precision approach. I’m just saying that sometimes when things fall into place in a way that you expect it to, RNAV can “feel” like it’s a precision approach. Even though that it’s not. And never will be.