Visual approach advice

[Acroshaw]

Hi all , first off its great to be back on PE after a long break , during which I spent most of my time learning the majestic dash 8, which I am now flying on PE. As always I learnt tons of stuff from my first flight between KPSP and KSBA, a route I chose because of the lack of ILS approaches , I was expecting the VOR 25 but heard the plane in front get the visual so I knew I'd probably get the same. However I ended up too high , and then I was in two minds , do I go missed or is there another option when you have been cleared for the visual ? Can you hold and lose height that way, or is a go around the only option ? In the end I had to disconnect anyway due to real life interfering at precisely the wrong moment ( kids don't appreciate the importance of flightsim ), but I intend to re do this route again until I nail it , so advice would be appreciated!

[Keith Smith]

there is no 'missed approach' on a visual, but you could go-around. Prior to that, though, the visual approach clearance doesn't imply you need to go direct to the airport. It just means that you're on your own to get it down, and that you need to keep the field in sight while doing so. S-turns could work, too. I'd also try to manage altitude (even if that means requesting lower from the controller) such that when I receive a visual approach clearance, I'm ready to make a straight in from there.

[Acroshaw]

brilliant thank's keith, just what I was after, S-turns would have worked for me in this situation, I will try again in a few days ! I'll also have a think about ways to manage altitude better, it's pretty easy in a 737 as you have a more powerful FMC, and can draw pretty rings around the destination, however I guess in the Dash you could set your vnav up to give you a required rate of descent for the IAF , or just do the maths like you would in a GA aircraft. Thanks again