How to use HSI MFD?

[YL3GDY]

Hi all,

I've been playing Orbiter some time(unfortunately with large gaps). Every time I was approaching to a runway, I aligned DG without any MFD's. I only watched when runway looks "vertical" and "straight", then I turned towards it.

Orbiter manual says, that HSI can be used for this purpose, and its controls are "self-explanory". But what do physically mean elements of its indicator?

 

[mjessick]

I would do an interenet search on HSI or "Horizontal Situation Indicator"
This is what I did to learn to use the indicator. The instrument is standardized enough that real world tutorials are very helpful for Orbiter use.

Here are some to get you started:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizontal_situation_indicator
PDF on Interpreting the HSI: http://www.nevergetlost.at/english/pdf/066.pdf

 

[V8Li]

You should also do a search on VOR (VHF Omni-directional Radio Range) and ILS (Instrument Landing System).

VOR can be picked up (you're in range) from a distance of up to 500Km or so. So you should do a basic alignment using it. If you will land on the runway 33 (330 deg heading) set the VOR course (CRS) to 330 deg. Fly so that the deviation (DEV) gets to 0 or a low value (it depends on the position of the VOR regarding the runway, KSC is not a good example since the VOR transmitter is about 20Km away from the runway 33). At about 30Km from the runway you will pick up the ILS and use it for a spot-on approach. If you fly right (and read as much as possible about the ILS) you should be able to land even without seeing the runway.

You could also use the VOR to get from one place to another. I make flight plans all the time to get from KSC to Habana and Hartsfield. I fly there by going from one VOR to another without using the MapMFD. I don't know if they use the technique these days with the GPS and such (out of question over the oceans) but you should try it.

 

[YL3GDY]

mjessick: Great thanks for your links!

V8Li: I've been using VOR transmitters to perform KSC-Habana flights. But I was still landing using only intuition and my eyes
Thanks for your answer!

 

[Andy44]

Back in the day when I used to fly SubLogic's Flight Assignment: ATP on my DOS machine, I used to land a 747 in complete white-out conditions using only the ILS and the radar altimeter. According the rules, if you cannot see the runway at decision altitude, you are supposed to throttle up for a go-around and declare a missed approach (ATC was well-simulated in that sim). But I used to do it just to prove I could. I think that with windy conditions it would be a lot harder.