So I’ve noticed that sometimes, most times VOR/DME approaches have better ‘direct to’ runway approaches than ILS. El Prat in Barcelona runways 25 for example. At least with the in sim flight planner is concerned. I also notice a lot of times the frequency is the same. So why not just use the VOR/DME approaches to get there faster and save fuel and just dial in the ILS frequency and use that on approach instead? I’m not sure if pilots do this in real life as I doubt the flight planner in MSFS is anything like what real pilots use. But hey, I’m the pilot, I’m gonna do what I want. If there is anything I hate is flying the long way around the city to get to the airport.
That’s impossible. VOR and ILS frequencies are never identical. Different frequency range.
Furthermore a VOR is way less precise than a localizer.
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LEBL, runway 25L ILS and DME are both 111.50. What I’m saying is, why not just do the flight planning using the VOR/DME approach but do the actual ILS when you fly the approach?
I am confused. If anything, VOR approaches start “further out”, so I donÄt quite get your reasoning about ILS approaches being the longer way.
But I’m starting to think that what you mean is not the approach itself but the arrival procedure? Maybe the flight planner in the Sim choses a shorter one with the VOR approach for some reason? Or it does not select an arrival procedure at all and goes direct to the IAF of the VOR approach?
Maybe you can give us a screenshot of what you mean?
Edit: About the DME: As you can see in the charts, both the VOR (PRA 114.3) and the ILS (BLW 111.5) have a DME “attached”. In the ILS chart, the distances to both are mentioned (they are a bit different).
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DME and VOR are two totally different things!!
Both, a VOR and an ILS can additionally have a DME.
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You are exactly correct. It’s the arrival procedures the in sim flight planner gives you. Go in the sim and use the flight planner to this ILS approach and you’ll see what I mean. Then click on the VOR?DME approach.
It’s the limits of the flight planner.
Are you using the MSFS nav base or do you have Navigraph installed?
MSFS which I’m sure is the problem. Like I say it’s limited I know but don’t want too cheap to spend money on a subscription.
You can change the arrival procedure to another one. Can’t you use the same arrival procedure that it choses when you select the VOR approach?
PZL is correct. VOR frequencies and ILS are on different ranges.
The main reason why there are both is simple; ATC Traffic management. During busy periods - which for El Prat for instance is pretty much all day every day.
Airliners tend to get routing via SIDs which leads to a FAF (Final Approach Fix) at a determined height and, critically, speed to allow landings every 3 minutes.
Imagine the chaos if ATC didn’t have the ability to vector traffic in to orderly queues of airliners with safe separation distances between them and one not catching up the one in front!
VOR/ DME Approaches tend to be used by smaller aircraft already at a lower height and able to “nip” in between. Yes, they’re more direct so it seems but in reality, the SID that the airliners follow almost always get short-cutted by ATC (via Vectors to the ILS for the active runway)
MSFS ATC is, a bit “random” at the moment (being kind) - so you fly it any way you want. You’re the captain but I thought I’d explain the reasons why this is as it is in real life.
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Likely the issue then. I have noticed the selection of STAR/Approach combinations are severely limited in the default package.
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Yeah but I just want to get there fast. Other planes get out of my way!! Go around? I don’t think so I’m gonna land right on your azzes haha
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Fair enough. Go for it! Don’t scare the passengers though! 
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Since the passenger can only see to the left/right, they won’t be scared 
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Selecting the z approach makes no difference
Choose the VORDME 25 approach and simply use the ILS frequency instead of the VOR.
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Exactly what I did.
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Have you checked if there’s a suitable Arrival available for the ILS ?
You didn’t choose one.