How far out does a glideslope go?

Glideslope (Vertical Guidance) Glideslope equipment is usually located 750 to 1250 feet down the runway, and 400 to 600 feet from the side of a runway’s centerline. You can usually find the glideslope shed next to the runway’s aim point markers. The glideslope works the same as a localizer, but just turned on its side.

How do you fly in glideslope?

To fly an ILS, you first align your aircraft with the runway, using the localizer as guidance. This is typically done by radar vectors from ATC, or with a procedure turn. You then fly toward the runway and intercept the glideslope from underneath, so you don’t intercept a false glideslope.

How do you calculate the slope of a glide angle?

The flight path intersects the ground at an angle “a” called the glide angle. If we know the distance flown and the altitude change, we can calculate the glide angle using trigonometry. The tangent (tan) of the glide angle (a) is equal to the change in height (h) divided by the distance flown (d).

How does a glideslope work?

A glide slope station uses an antenna array sited to one side of the runway touchdown zone. The GS signal is transmitted on a carrier signal using a technique similar to that for the localizer. The centre of the glide slope signal is arranged to define a glide path of approximately 3° above horizontal (ground level).

Where on the runway does the glideslope bring you if you flew it to the ground?

The glideslope itself emanates from a point adjacent to the two big white boxes painted on a precision instrument runway. Following the glideslope all the way down to these white boxes will bring you to a point about 1,000 feet beyond the runway threshold, which is a very safe place to touch down.

How is glidepath calculated?

It is very simple. You can get your distance on a 3 degree glide by multiplying the altitude by distance. For example, if you want to know what your distance is at 3000 ft, just divide the altitude by 1000 and then multiply the number you get by 3. In this case (3 × 3) = 9 nm.

Why doesn’t the autopilot go to localizer after glideslope capture?

Most aircraft don’t allow glideslope capture to occur before LOC capture, for safety. LOC capture first below the glideslope. If you haven’t captured the localizer by the time you cross the glideslope, the autopilot won’t descend.

Do you intercept the glideslope before or after the localizer?

If you are intercepting the glideslope before the localizer, odds are that you’re flying it wrong. That’s of course true, but by his narrative the glide slope was just alive by the time the localiser was captured, meaning moving and above the aircraft. This was my thought as well.

How do you judge your pitch when landing on the A320?

There are many good tutorials for crosswind landings in the A320 on Youtube. Once over the runway threshold we look towards the end of the runway to better judge our pitch especially for the so called Flare. The flare follows the final approach phase and precedes the touchdown and roll-out phases of landing.

Is the A320 flaps full or half full?

Configuration is FLAPS FULL. Aircraft is at about 1,000ft above the ground. Wind is calm (no crosswind for this beginner guide). Although the A320 can do an automatic landing ( Autoland) we will do a manual landing as this is more common and also more fun.