PilotEdge Forums

Well I did my first flight today with P3D 2.2 - it went horrible. I thought I was the approach master.... but really I was so used to using FSX and the airplanes I fly that I just wasn't ready for the plane I used in P3D (Mooney M20T)

I tried the ILS 30 Full Proc - from the S of the field I was cleared D SLI. First mistake I flew the hold using the SLI vortac lol.... so I knew I screwed that up and decided to do it again.

Second time I flew the pub missed and I neglected to climb to 3000 from the 2600 off the missed... again.... sigh.... not my brightest moments...

Anyway this brings me to my actual question. What is the best legal way to fly the approach while approaching SLI from the SSW? I see the transition radial is 200 then a quick turn into the course reversal. Am I correct in my thinking that I must fly over SLI and I can't turn early to join the course reversal?

This one is tricky due to the large turn at SLI.

In some cases this sharp of a turn at the IAF isn't even a legal clearance, however in this specific case it's actually ok (due to the PT mainly).

You don't need to fly over SLI in the sense that your "GPS DME" would read 0, you can "lead" the turn onto the 200 radial. However in such a sharp turn this is really really difficult and there's no "trick" to make it easy.

Honestly if I were SSW, and not RNAV capable (actually even if I was RNAV capable) I'd request direct BECCA instead of SLI. If you don't have a NDB or GPS, then I'd request a vector onto the SLI 200R to BECCA.

In using SLI from the S you're trying to use the "North IAF" instead of the more convenient "South IAF" that exists for arrivals from that direction.

That's my 2 cents on it.