ILS Approach, Runway 12R, San Antonio Intl Airport Cessna Skyhawk SP (C172S)

As an instrument student, I was thrilled to learn that one of the new features in FS2004 was full ATC support for flying Instrument Approaches (there is still no support for SIDs/STARs). This capability allows you to request NDB, VOR, ILS and RNAV(GPS) approaches from the intelligent ATC when enroute to your destination airport. In support of GPS approaches, FS2004 includes two new GPS systems - a Garmin 500 series panel-mounted system or the handheld Garmin 295.

I've found that flying the instrument approaches in FS2004 is a big help when I fly the same approaches with my flight instructor. By modifying the weather in FS2004 or choosing the "Fogged-In" weather theme, you can fly instrument approaches down to minimums. Want to see how you did? Use the flight analysis feature to view a "breadcrumb" of your flight path. This feature is a great way to see how flying the published instrument approach was carefully crafted by the folks at the FAA. It can also show you the effect of winds aloft on your flight path.

If you reach your minimum descent altitude and are still "in the soup" the simulator allows you to fly the published missed approach procedure which the new ATC system supports.

There are several online resources for acquiring instrument approach charts which you can use with FS2004. One product, designed specifically for flight simulation, is Jeppesen's SIMCharts.

Previous Section

Go to Section 4: VFR/IFR Enroute