PMDG 737 | Circling Approach Tutorial | Real 737 Pilot

Join me in the hold at UNPIV, the holding point for 04R in Pisa (LIRP/PSA) as I show you how to setup and fly a circling approach to 22L using my companies operating procedures.
A circling approach is a manoeuvre to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing for the runway in use from an instrument approach is not possible.
Reaching the circling MDA for the approach in use we manoeuvre the aircraft to align with the landing runway. We must maintain the MDA until in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made.
WX used in Tutorial (LIRP RW04R/22L 220/20 9999 CAVOK 22/5 1016)
As I always stress my tutorials contain procedures based on my 4000 hours experience and what I instruct in a full motion Level D sim for my operator. Other operators/tutorials might show you a different procedure or setup based on different operating procedures.
Any questions feel free to ask!
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All guidance in my tutorials are based on operating procedures from a real operator, I have almost 4000 hours on the 737-800 (The real one) and I'm also a full-time Type Rating Instructor for my operator working in a full motion Level D simulator.
The aim of this channel is to provide realistic, informative and useful information to help you enhance your flight simulation experience by following me apply real world operating procedures in the PMDG NGX.
Be sure to Like, Comment, and Subscribe and Thanks for watching!
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NB - I am in no position to share/copy company material. All guidance is purely to enhance your home flight simulator experience and is for entertainment purposes only.
Addons Used:
FSX Steam Edition
PMDG 737 NGX
Pisa X Aerosoft GmbH
FSX Active Sky Next
REX 4 Texture Direct
EZdok Version 2

[@EverydayNormalGeek]

What I enjoy in all these tutorials is how you manage to give a deep insight in advanced topics in a very understandable manner. Great job. I have definitely learned a ton by watching these videos.

[@steliosa.8442]

Very helpful! I am creating my own ATC simulator and a huge headache is the circling landings. In this one you give some interesting hints on what's really happening during one. Thanks!

[@srbs73]

Really enjoying your channel. Another great tutorial and looking forward to your full flight one coming up.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Steve. thanks a lot! You can indeed expect the next trio of videos to cover in detail a flight from A to B! All the best! FD2S.

[@EinkOLED]

I've climbed those mountains east of pisa, you get a good view of aircraft climbing away from there. A popular airport for C-130 military planes.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Awesome! Yeah there are always plenty of C-130's at LIRP, I've flown into Pisa several times but I've never had to complete the circling approach, always managed to get straight in onto 04R!

[@gl7080]

Hello Mister flightdeck2sim, I find myself looking back to your video, yes again and again. It's an adventure every time to go with you. Not only for this video but also the other video from your hand. Impressed, it seems so easy to learn, but it is not. The reason for this is that you are a pro and I'm just an amateur. Also I'am dutch so also have the difficulties about translating. Nevertheless you keep my attention and that is a compliment for your education that's also at a high level. And my next step now is tou give you a like again ;) Have a nice day and I hope you keep in very good health.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Dutch Challenge. Thank you so much for your kind words, firstly I'd like to say your English is far better than my dutch which is a compliment to your education, I've always struggled to learn a 2nd Language ! I'm glad you can still enjoy my videos! These tutorials are ran real time as I'm explaining actions for both PF, PM and the operational impact of what I'm doing, all based on my operators procedures and taught during a Type Rating. This is done to make it as realistic as possible. With practice and proficiency with the NGX you will find my tutorials easier to understand. Always feel stop by if you would like to ask question. Wishing you a pleasant weekend! Met vriendelijke groet! FD2S.

[@kevinsingh8035]

You should do a company reveal at 50k subscribers.

[@CyclicPilot]

I fly the IXEG 737-300 for X-Plane: in the manual for this aircraft it says for circling approach to go gear down/flap 15 abeam the threshold, then after flying for the calculated time downwind turn towards the runway AND start descending for roughly a 3 degree glide at the same time. Idk if this aligns with any real world circling approach procedure, but I've tried it a couple of times and found it pretty handy in flight sim (first time landing at Genoa I got 2 reds/2 whites in the window as I came onto final, very satisfying) Loved this video though, definitely helps with good practice managing the FMC

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Iwan, The procedure can be different from operator to operator. Certain Approaches might involve configuring in a completely different sequence. I'm just showing you one way (the way I know and fly here!) FD2S

[@spokaneflyboy]

I've been following your videos for the past few weeks after stumbling on your raw data approach video trying to learn what raw data even referred to. I've learned a lot even after years of real-world GA flying and two decades of 737 simming. This is another video though where I find myself glad I use FS2Crew to help alleviate trying to single man a multi-crew aircraft.

[@kanekokanach.3554]

wow.... this really helps me on my first attempt. YES FIRST ATTEMPT ON 737. thank you very much

[@ChrisRosling]

Great video. Never seen one of these approaches before. Thanks for sharing. Will be trying this one out.

[@flightdeck2sim]

You're welcome! Not so common but in Pisa it's the only way to land on the SW runway! Take care, FD2S.

[@9111logic]

Thanks for that . . I live in Pisa and often wondered what was the correct procedure for the 22L circling approach . . . I used to do it visually and manually on my P3D starting from 1800 feet and diving having passed over those sort of swamps, but now I have at least one real-life pattern to follow . . excellent video ! . . cheers ;)

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thanks a lot! I believe they've now added a straight in RNAV procedure for RW22 now! FD2S

[@t.e.5315]

Thank you for your videos. Could you make a turtorial for missed approach during circling at different possitions during the procedure? Thx.

[@peterlauridsen8403]

Wow this was complicated but exciting

[@NeutralGenericUser]

not too bad? that was incredible! Thank you so much for posting these incredible videos. We really really appreciate your work! Looking forward too seeing more!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thanks a million! Since returning to desktop simulators two years ago and since this tutorial I have learned how to manipulate the controls to more or less match the inputs needed in the real aircraft, flying (HANDLING) this is VERY different to the real thing and is a challenge due to the lack of spatial awareness. FD2S

[@Rhinozherous]

Thank you very much for creating this tutorials! For me as a virtual only pilot (until I am able to do my ppl) it is very interesting and helpful to get information from a pro. I hope you have a lot of fun creating this vids... and when you fly the real thing :)

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi K.S. Flightsim. Thanks a lot for your kind words! It's very rewarding to get feedback like this. I've always been a flight simmer and always will be! I was just fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time! Just returning to the community something I wish I had when I was growing up with FS2004! All the best! FD2S.

[@Final_Turn]

Great Video ! reminded me of a sad incident in our country when a pilot mishandled similar circle to land visual approach and hit the mountains on right side. the pilot was flying the circle to land approach in LNAV mode by adding unauthorized way points after Abeam. He was reminded by FO that his course of action in not in procedure but captain didnt listened. A321 hit the mountains, all killed on board. RIP

[@flightdeck2sim]

Air Blue Fight 202?

[@Final_Turn]

flightdeck2sim Yup exactly !

[@flightdeck2sim]

Kk - when training pilots we review several air crash incidents, so to learn what went wrong and train our guys effective CRM skills to help prevent incidents like this from happening. This incident is infamous for poor CRM and the so called "steep cockpit gradient" Will get round to answering your queries ASAP Kk! FD2S

[@Final_Turn]

flightdeck2sim Thanks Captain .. stay blessed

[@realtime12345]

As always a great tutorial video ! This one is a hard one to practice !

[@flightdeck2sim]

Sure is! It's difficult in a multi-crew environment let alone on a home PC, especially the turn onto final. Hope you succeeded! FD2S

[@KEITHGEE1000]

Fabulous tutorial!! I’m getting through them! Very helpful, thanks.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thanks for both comments KEITHGEE1000! FD2S

[@helmerkappert5152]

Thanks again , it is really helpfull to look and observe through your eyes, and have all this explained , with tips and tricks1 Super!

[@pomaranc747]

After watching this I would really like to see you fly the circling approach into Innsbruck! Also thanks for all the tutorials they helped me a lot learning how to fly the 738 in X-Plane, they are really useful not only for people flying the NGX :)

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi pomaranc 747, I will make a playlist covering several real world challenging approaches in the near future and Innsbruck will of course be included! FD2S.

[@Nufsed007]

Great vid Sir, I'll give this approach a try. Thank you for these very informative video's.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thank you very much! Good luck! FD2S

[@eliass.4743]

Which Timing do i need for Others airports? E.g. Salzburg? Very good Video, bzw✌🏼

[@ellonysman]

I love that you speak from real world experience🤪😎😊

[@Caipi12]

Excellent tutorial, thank you very much!

[@Alex-mk5iq]

What caused you being so high on final approach? Should you have descended visually earlier, or vertical speed down to another altitude? Thanks

[@svansdance]

Really nice!

[@MoisesSimana]

Awesome. I know how much time it takes to produce this videos. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Simana, Thanks a lot! It does take some tweaking! FD2S

[@BradenBogdan]

Can I vote for your candidacy for the Prime Liason of the Flight Simulation Community? ...hehehe : ) Have you ever thought about making your own FSX/P3D educational software? You have a great reputation around your tutorials; maybe there is a market that you can tap into?? Keep up the great work! You rock!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Haha thanks Braden, it's nice to have such feedback! We'll see in the future, I need to make some investment towards new hardware (PC, rudder pedals, etc) but it's great to have such a great response from the community! I have some big plans that's for sure! FD2S

[@julesgrudzien]

Hi FD2S. By far the most eloquent and informative aviation tutorials I have seen. You are a natural teacher - thank you. Could you please elaborate on the term "landing gate". I'm not sure but I think it might refer to the altitude above the aerodrome at which the aircraft must be stable, failing which a missed approach must be conducted. Is that right? And if so, how is that altitude determined (presumably it's a little lower for a circle to land than a straight in approach)? Will it be shown on the approach chart? Does it relate in any way to the decision height/altitude (which I assume is the altitude by which the runway environment must be visible AND the aircraft stable) or the amber line on the altitude tape? Apologies if you've covered this in another video - I'm slowly working my way through all of them!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Julian, thanks a lot for your kind words. Yes the "Landing Gate" is exactly as you described, the aircraft must be fully stabilised and meet the stabilised approach criteria at this point to be able to continue the approach to a landing. The gates I use are SOP specific (but all very similar from airline to airline) and is not related to the DA/MDA but the Height AAL We use the following IMC 1000ft AAL - (Top of the White Bar on the Altitude Tape) VMC 500ft AAL - (Top of the Amber Bar on the Altitude Tape) Circling 300ft AAL - (A little lower to ensure you are on the extended centerline, you might still be turning at 500ft!) Take a look at my Landing Tutorial where I go into the landing gate stabilised approach criteria kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKLRo5yDm66Ve6cm5s (Starts at the correct point) Good Luck! FD2S

[@julesgrudzien]

That's very clear - many thanks.

[@tomstravels520]

I bet in the future airports might convert these circling into RNAV RNP approaches so the autopilot can be left on longer and pilots can concentrate on the configuration

[@flightdeck2sim]

It's already possible, there are coded circle to land approaches which allows you to use LNAV all the way and descend turning final, not so fun! FD2S

[@StephaneSOUBIRAN]

Thank you !!!

[@krengul1586]

Massive tutorial so helpful but please turn volume that pmdg engine or environment sound.. sometimes cant even hear your voice

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Emre, Your feedback has been noted! FD2S

[@georgeaitchison4069]

Very clever am enjoying my sim great videos 👍

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Adam! Thanks a lot for your kind comments, I enjoy making these tutorials as much as you enjoy watching them! All the best! FD2S.

[@pulitzarl5697]

Great tutorials! Can you push TOGA after you disconnect the Autorottle and Autopilot if you have a missed approach? Do you have to fly to BABNU manually?

[@Lekso-je9xi]

yes, but we still need to manually advance the thrust lever. The reason we do that are so that the N1 limit change mode to To/Ga mode

[@oldsportpilot142]

In case of Missed approach you will use the procedures from 04R ? From any position of MAP?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hello! You fly the missed approach for the instrument procedure flown (in this case RW04R), unless ATC specify something different. FD2S

[@StarflightVirtual]

Hello, nice video, trying to reproduce 🙂 But one Question, for the last turn you add a FIX called RW22L in the Fix Page. How did you enter it in the Fix Page ? Just by entering RW22L in the Fixpage or is there another Trick ? I tried it in Prosim, but after entering RW22L in the Fix Page, i get the green marking for the Point in the Middle of the RWY, not at the RW22L end ?? Matthias

[@deydeygamer8821]

nice landing and i go see ervy video that u have here

[@tomstravels520]

There is now an RNAV approach to 22L

[@flightdeck2sim]

I saw! We have to approval to use at my operator too, could be cool to stream! FD2S

[@TheBumblebee481]

New subscriber here, as a flight enthusiast I find your vids facinatin. Would love to see an approach and landing at Innsbruck (lowi?)

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Fubzy, glad you enjoy them! My operator doesn't fly into LOWI but I'll try and get hold of some up to date charts and how the procedure should be flown exactly, that way I can replicate the Approach exactly how it's flown in the 737. FD2S

[@trevorboyd6810]

Fantastic!!

[@KhaledFakhra]

how would you do the missed approach for this? would you do the chart missed approach? and just do a 180 climbing turn?

[@Final_Turn]

This approach, I mean timings in "seconds" is same for all airports or different?!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Kk, the procedure is generic and will work for most airports unless they have specific circling requirements. FD2S

[@Final_Turn]

flightdeck2sim I tried for OPRN where AIRBLUE 202 crashed. It works reasonably for that airport. Can you explain for fixing A beam for runway. Request a seperate short vid for "FIX" Page .. Fix ring I can set for specific VOR etc but fixing A beam to appear .. need bit guidance .. Thanks in advance

[@piotrkuler2474]

Kk - i think better thing for ABEAM is just to look outside.

[@aslesterg5803]

tq!

[@piotrkuler2474]

Can You make a video about approach briefs ? specially DALTA. Thanks :) thumbs up!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Piotr! i'll be making three new videos soon covering my second full flight tutorial which will have a detailed explanation of the entire procedure for a flight from A to B. Stay tuned! FD2S

[@flywithtb5005]

Very nice channel

[@chrisloach9658]

I'm not sure, but as I understand it, a circle to land can technically include landing on a runway other than the opposite/reciprocal of the approach runway. Is that something you ever do in the 737?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi there! Absolutely, you can maneuver to land on any runway. Circle to land is unusual in a commercial environment anyway and is usually to the reciprocal runway which I've only done a few times, never to a different runway. FD2S

[@allanmicheals9017]

When would you fly a circling approach? Could you choose to fly a circling approach by yourself in real life or will the ATC ask you to fly a circling approach when needed?

[@umttatar]

Hi captain, just for a quick update I wanna ask that should we double tap intercept course on legs page in order to extend centerline like white dash line as it is in hdg sel mode? Thank you for your response.

[@HARRRYVID]

Great video...Just one question. People showing procedures always stop their aircraft on landing before crossing the stop line. Doesn't this mean that it is still your runway as you are still in the tower's space?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi HARRYVID. Certainly in my case it’s for practicality in my tutorials. (It’s difficult to taxi and do the F/O After Landing flow!) In reality you must pass the holding point otherwise you’re still on the active runway, exactly as you guessed 👍🏼 FD2S

[@francescof9474]

Hi, can you make a video about LNAV and VNAV? It would be quite interesting :)

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Francesco. LNAV/VNAV covers a broad range of topics! If you have a look at my descent management tutorial it covers VNAV in some detail. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the system with the PMDG manual too to build some background knowledge. All the best! FD2S

[@jotski7347]

Hello, and thanks for your very helpful videos ! My question is about the go around. If somehow you went to lose sight from the airport during the downwind leg, how would you perform a go around? Where is the procedure for a go around at this point of the approach? Thank you !

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Gauthier. At any time we lose sight of the runway during the circling maneuver we make a turn in the shortest direction towards the landing runway (in this example downwind we'd circle left towards 22L) We continue the turn until established on an intercept heading for the missed approach on the instrument procedure flown (04R) Good Luck! FD2S.

[@BollocksUtwat]

I think you amply demonstrated in this video the serious difficulties of visual flying in a sim, and without TrackIR its even worse. My own sim flying has slowed to a crawl with the death of my TIR. Definitely appreciated this one though. Its a nice change to see the circle to land done by a real pilot to get some extra nuance on technique. Most people I see doing circle to land do the final turn manually. I also mostly see LOWI as the demonstration. Would you fly LOWI the same or is it more perilous and demanding of a manual touch?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Yes very difficult! Remember it's a multi-crew aircraft which requires two fully qualified pilots to operate. The Circle is very challenging. Theses SOP's work very well to fly a circling approach to a reciprocal runway which most are HOWEVER every airport is unique and in some instances these SOP's wont work. eg very high circling minima, terrain, landing on a runway which is in a different direction. For airports that require a different approach then the generic SOP's in this tutorial we have specific guidance on how to operate the aircraft. I'm unfamiliar with Innsbruck but with all that terrain around I should think following these SOP's won't work and there will be specific guidance from the operator on how to fly the approach. I believe pilots operating into this airport have to conduct additional training in the simulator before they can fly the approach as well.

For situational awareness in the simulator on a whole different level even compared to TIR which I've been using a lot in the past I highly recommend a pair of VR glasses such as the Oculus Rift and the FlyInside software. The resolution could be better but the immersion and the overall sensation of actually flying the aircraft from inside the cockpit is nothing short of amazing!! I did a circling approach into LOWS a couple of days ago in the NGX and it turned out really well and much thanks to performing it in VR with all benefits that come with that vs flying on a 2D display. Then using the voice version of FS2Crew also helps easing the workload a bit allowing you to command flaps settings, gear up/down etc. One thing I would like to ask speaking about approaches is when ATC quite often gives you the number of track miles to expect and how to use that information in the most efficient way? I'm aware of the altitude times 3 rule like being at FL150 for instance means you'll need roughly 45 miles but that is nm rather than track miles, right? Would be very interesting to hear your comments on this! Thanks again for your awesome tutorials, becoming the best out there IMO!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Richard! Yeah technology has certainly moved along nicely in the last few years! Yeah that's it regarding ATC track miles, approximately x3 your altitude works out really well. Eg 30,000ft = 90nm. 5000ft = 15nm etc. Allow extra distance to reduce to approximately 200kts 10nm from landing, (add 1nm for every 10kts of deceleration). For every 10kts of Tailwind also add 1nm. Hope this helped! FD2S

Cool, thanks! But what about nm vs track miles? Reason I ask is I sometimes end up high despite following this rule so either it's because I'm doing something wrong or else because ATC didn't give me the actual distance I ended up flying.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Richard Åsberg the track miles is an estimate how many nm until the threshold. It's not meant to be an exact number but to give you a rough idea of where you're in the sequence. I've certainly seen some dubious track mile estimates given by ATC in the past! The best thing to do when under radar vectors by ATC is to manipulate the FMC to build yourself an accurate VNAV PTH profile. Do you know how to create waypoints in the FMC?

[@wesleyyin]

Bravo! I witnessed not just superb contents but also great improvements of your instructing techniques (for short videos)! I wonder if you can help me with two questions: If I become unstable or lose the visual contact with the runway, which missed approach procedure should I follow? In different stages of the circling approach, the headings are very different. So, there seems to be no clear answer other than following the ATC. My other question is: once I break from the localizer course, should I de-select the ILS frequency since I will come around on the ILS back course and the horizontal magenta diamond will work in the opposite way, causing me to confuse.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Wotao, thanks a lot! Missed approach from a circling approach is as follows. 1 - You fly the missed approach based on the instrument approach used to get to the circling approach. 2 - Make a Climbing turn in the shortest direction to the landing runway 3 - Continue that turn until established on an intercept HDG to the missed approach course to the instrument procedure just flown and climb to the MAA You don't need to de-select the ILS, you can ignore the guidance it provides or just tune the radios for the frequencies requires for the missed approach. I've noticed with the way PMDG/FSX works it doesn't expect a circling approach. In ALT HLD the aircraft seems to Climb and Descend about 100ft either side, that wouldn't happen. Passing the threshold it seems to spit out VREF and the FMC behaves in a peculiar way as well but on the whole it's ok! Also our fleet do not have the VNAV ALT option, in our aircraft as we approach the minimums it will automatically transition from VNAV PTH - ALT ACQ - ALT HLD instead of having to select ALT HLD manually. Kind Regards, FD2S.

[@steelblackface]

Have you ever tried to reach out to pmdg about the ngx odd behaviour?

[@wesleyyin]

Thanks a lot for the very informative replies! What if I have turned base (or even final) of the landing runway, facing more than 90 degrees from the missed approach course of the instrument approach? Should I climb and circle back to intercept the missed approach course?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi steelblackface. Yes PMDG are aware of who I am and will be contributing towards their next update whenever that might be! On the whole it a fantastically accurate representation of the real aircraft. All the best! FD2S.

[@flightdeck2sim]

If you're turning base continue the turn towards the landing runway and then initiate the missed approach. If you have to do a go-around on say short final you have to maintain wings level until above the circling minima. Once above the circling minima you must turn towards the circling side until on an intercept heading for the missed approach. You must also maintain a speed less than 180kts, this is the maximum permitted speed during a go-around from a circling approach for a category C aircraft. Hope this helped! FD2S.

[@phipsd8388]

When i programm the FMC with a route to an airport that hasn't got an approach, theres a dicontinuty in the LEGS. is that normal?

[@user-xo6wo2go3x]

Great video! Quick question: Can this approach be flown completely manually or does the level of automation required depend on the company's SOP's?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi William, good question! As you said, very operator specific. It's "recommended" to fly this approach maximizing the use of automation. Having the A/P - A/T engaged massively increases your capacity and it would be expected to be used until turning final on a circling approach to descend and land. I've taught conversion courses for pilots joining our company and some operators have no guidance on how to fly this approach! Theses SOP's work very well to fly a circling approach to a reciprocal runway which most are HOWEVER every airport is unique and in some instances these SOP's wont work. eg very high circling minima, terrain, landing on a runway which is in a different direction. For these airports there will be specific guidance on how to operate the aircraft safely. Hope this helped! FD2S.

[@user-xo6wo2go3x]

Thank you for replying! Although it's a bit saddening to hear that some airlines don't offer guidance on flying the approach Helped a lot!

[@TheDiego1255]

Is the formula for calculating tail wind component the same as the formula for crosswind component?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Diego! We don't use any formulae during the circle to calculate the crosswind/tailwind component as it's readily available on PROG page 2 (12:11) FD2S

[@TheDiego1255]

*slaps face* I missed that completely. Thanks cap!

[@PeterIlic8]

Really enjoyed this one mate. I have one question though - I was doing a circling approach for RWY 10 at LIMJ (Genoa). The landing minima is 1400ft (rounded up to the nearest 100ft) i leveled off at this ALT and followed the steps exactly as you did in LIRP, however once i was overhead the perpendicular radial for RWY 10 i needed to maintain the same track and ALT for 42 seconds (1400 x 3 = 42 secs ) but if i followed this i would have been outside the 4.2nm arc as well as smashing the plane into terrain. Could you please tell me what i did wrong specifically in my situation or was this tutorial based only for LIRP? Many Thanks

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Peter, You did everything correctly. With Genoa and it’s high circling minima (exactly 42 seconds in still wind conditions) you get close to 4.2nm, if this is the case you must ensure you turn within 4.2nm and expect to immediately descend as soon as you see the PAPI’s turning final, you can expect to be a little high and a higher ROD required on final for RWY 10 (PAPI’s set to 3.3 degrees) Try again and let me know how you get on! FD2S

[@PeterIlic8]

Will do Sir, thanks a tonne!

[@johnmcpherson620]

Good stuff, as ever. Thank you. My VA only flies the Airbus into Pisa but in the B738 I get to fly the circling approaches into Salzburg and Chambery. I noticed you used heading select for the turn onto finals. I've been using control wheel steering. As an instructor, do you have an opinion on the pros and cons of these two methods?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thanks again for your kind comments John. We just use HDG SEL and the AOB selector to ensure we role out on final. CWS essentially turns the 737 into an Airbus, you fly the A/P through the control column. We would only use it in severe turbulence to attempt to maintain altitude. I've never used it in 5 years! FD2S.

[@johnmcpherson620]

Thanks. I'll try it your way. I'd never thought of using AOB as anything other than a limiter.

[@flightdeck2sim]

AOB selected is very useful to ensure we roll out on the extended centreline. The reason we don't alter the HDG is because if you go around and push TO/GA you lose your roll mode. When you engaged HDG SEL after raising the LDG Gear if it's not set to the landing runway the aircraft will start turning to what ever HDG is set! Have a great weekend! FD2S

[@vnavspeed6737]

Nicely done captain. Do you really find flying in fsx harder than real life ?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Thanks Mehmet! The 737 is a multi-crew aircraft which requires two fully qualified pilots to operate safely. When flying maneuvers like a circling approach it's quite challenging using a desktop simulator if you want to fly it as accurately and realistically as possible as you're having to do the jobs of two pilots. The circling approach is also a visual maneuver and looking outside it pretty difficult using a joystick! When it comes to manual flying in a sim off a laptop I find it more difficult due to the sensitivity of a joystick compared to the real control column and you don't get the sensation of "flying by the seat of your pants" so it's hard to react to configuration changes you'd feel as G forces. That's my 10 cents! Although PMDG is very realistic there are some differences to the real aircraft which I always try and point out when I can! Hope this helped! FD2S.

[@vnavspeed6737]

Captain once again , i'd like to express my graditude for your tremendous efforts to help flight simmers do this hobby as realistically as possible. You are absoultely right about the difficult aspect of flight simulator environment. Despite i have gone through all the standart flight patterns of 737NG with the related operating manuals, I have never managed to fly a circling approach as it's required to be done due to the lack of specific peripherals such as face tracking device aka Track IR. If you can afford one , you should definitely give it a try. Thank you very much.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Most kind Mehmet, thank you! I quite like using EZDOK, the utility I use to pan around using my mouse, even during a circling approach, might look into using TRACK IR in the future! Have a great week! FD2S

[@flyboy747uk]

Hi. I am confused about the 4.2 miles and being at 900 ft keeps you clear of the ground. I can't seem to see anything related to 4.2 miles on the chart, is this a company SOP on all circling to land approaches to stay within 4.2 miles or where should I be looking in the chart? Thanks

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi flyboy747 uk This is standard rules for circling approaches in a CAT C aircraft (737). The 4.2nm is referring to the obstacle clearance (PANS OPS) for circling approach. So long as you're within 4.2nm at the minima you will be at least 394ft clear of all obstacles. FD2S

[@Final_Turn]

Dear, which aircraft you prefer from quality and realism point of view. PMDG 747 or 737? Or you prefer 737 because you are real pilot of that?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Kk. I don't know much about the PMDG 747, never flown it! If it's anything like the NGX then it will be very close to the real thing! The NGX is pretty accurate and although there are some differences, it's reasonably well modelled against the real aircraft. Kind Regards, FD2S

[@Userznxbdjr]

Dear I again need your help how about how to fly plane without GPS as iam newbie to pmdg 737ngx so kindly help me or give a link of your video of how to fly .as I sawed many video of FMC but honestly I can't understand .so if you help I will be greatful.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Sharan, My tutorials are tailored for experienced users of the NGX. May I recommend you consult the PMDG Tutorial to get started/to familiarise with the flightdeck. Good Luck! FD2S

[@Final_Turn]

Two stupid questions :) If Vnav guides you through decent slope till runway, then whats significance for glide slope? Second, when you are just 4 miles from runway, 900 feet above ground .. why dont planes land? why to circle then ?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Kk, 1. ILS is incredibly more accurate and reliable and required to complete an Autoland. VNAV just uses an overlay in the FMC for NPA's/RNAV approaches 2. A circling approach is used to land on a runway where a straight in landing from an instrument approach is not possible. As explained in this tutorial, it's impossible to land directly off a procedure is PSA due to the close proximity to the mountains to the NE so you must circle if the wind favors the opposite runway (Max TW component is 15kts) Hope this helped! FD2S.

[@Final_Turn]

Hi Captain !! You had to make thrust idle on short finals, is that Okey in real life or thats "Unstable" in real life?! If thrust is too low before touch down, won't it be difficult to spool up for Go Around? Regards,

[@flightdeck2sim]

The thrust needs to be "appropriate" to the situation, Ideally at the landing gate (we use 300ft for the circle) the thrust needs to at around 50-70% with all the other stable parameters met. FD2S

[@Final_Turn]

@@flightdeck2sim Thanks captain !

[@Navhodo]

I have a question and I have seen it in real life. Why do we cycle the FDs after we handfly? I have heard it is a bug on the autopilot on the TOGA button but I don’t understand. I also tried to find it in the OM or TM but no luck yet. I am rated on the aircraft but with no hours on type yet. Thank you for all.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Kazalis. When you're circling and you disconnect to descend from the MDA to the runway the FD guidance will not be correct so you get rid of it. You can leave the F/D on after an NPA so long as the final approach track is not offset and is aligned with the runway (SOP specific so it will vary!) FD2S

[@JustMe00257]

Why resetting the FD's? It's done to remove undesired guidance during a phase of flight (base and final) where they don't provide useful/sensible information anymore (at this stage of a circling the PF is looking primarily outside to adjust the vertical and lateral flight path). The FD are reset and not simply left off because during a missed approach, when you try to engage another pitch/roll mode than TO/GA with the FD off, you will loose your FD Pitch and/or roll bars, while with the FD's reset you'll keep your FD's available at all times. FCTM 5.69 CIRCLING APPROACH refers.

[@LuisPerez-qj6mj]

Sooooooo circling approach is the same as circle to land?? i have been having that question for days and i can't find an answer PLS

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Luis, Yes the same phrase can be used to describe the approach but certain approaches use circling minima where you might not necessarily complete a 180 degree turn onto the reciprocal runway. FD2S

[@eliass.4743]

In the FMC, i have to Set RWY 22 or the ILS Approach?

[@lamanorbu]

You should select an approach for runway 04R, as there will be no approach for 22L (hence you need to do a circle to land). This way the FMC will guide VNAV down to the minimum circling altitude.

[@tamerceliks]

Hello, when you are on very final moment for approach, you have corrected and aligned runway, right? May i know if you did this by using rudder or ailerons? Thanks.

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Tamer, Aileron and Pitch only. The only time we use rudder is to maintain centerline during takeoff and landing, de-crab during a crosswind landing or to counteract an engine failure. FD2S

[@tamerceliks]

flightdeck2sim thanks Captain. that would be great to see a new video from you about Chart Reading. Thanks for your amazing work and tutorials.

[@szubovic]

how did you enter RW22L in Fix Page? I am not allowed as not in data base ?!

[@flightdeck2sim]

Sounds like you need to update your nav data base, RW direction might have changed since then! FD2S

[@kayodemakinde6545]

What command did you use to arm the speed brakes

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi Captain Paul I use the default Shift and / FD2S

[@user-tp7hg7hp4z]

I have a question! In the other pilot youtuber said when time check in circling approach,base turn at 'time - twc ' but in this video,base turn at 'time - 1/2 of twc'. Which is correct? It is different at each aircraft or each airport?

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi! Could be airline specific, different operators use different SOP’s. We use 1/2 tailwind component here. FD2S

[@user-tp7hg7hp4z]

@@flightdeck2sim thx for your reply!

[@user-tp7hg7hp4z]

@@flightdeck2sim airline means company or aircraft?

[@Relax2437]

Hi 1:20 where did you get the 4,2nm (900') safety distance from? thanx:)

[@nvstewart]

4.2nm is roughly the distance from the threshold of RWY 22 and the mountainous terrain North East of the airfield, if he flies out of that safety distance there is a risk that the aircraft could become a statistic. The altitude is from the chart which was 880' but the company that FD2S flies for rounds it up to the next 100ft which in this case is 900'

[@Relax2437]

Of course, it's self-explanatory coz it's a safety margin. My question was where he got that safety margin from??? I doubt he eyeballed it.

[@nvstewart]

Google Earth, try it out, its pretty accurate. In the real world when you find out that is the runway you will be landing on you could check it on Google Earth on an ipad in the cockpit.

[@Relax2437]

That's not the way it's done RL. RL Protected area, while circling is www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Circling_Approach_-_difference_between_ICAO_PANS-OPS_and_US_TERPS .

[@flightdeck2sim]

Hi there! I'm not sure what this source is, they are all guidelines. At the end you can manoeuvre anyway you like so long as you remain within visual contact with the runway at all times, above the circling minima (in this case rounded to 900ft) and within the circling manoeuvring area which for a CAT C aircraft (737-800) is 4.2 NM (PANS-OPS Criteria) around the LANDING Runway (RW22L) I teach this stuff every day 👍🏼 FD2S

[@graysonmalitsky5019]

Voice crack 2:41

[@rangerrick8220]

Not a `Boeing' landing this time!

[@josenavarro-zm6lz]

you are not a pilot

[@flightdeck2sim]

Damn it! How could you tell? Any advice?