These approaches have been set-up for entertainment purposes only. They are not, and I stress not, standard terminal arrival routes. If you have the proper charts, there is no reason why you cannot set-up your aircraft to fly these types of approaches if you so wish.
Aircraft set-up.
I have tried my best to set-up each approach with a suitable aircraft to do the job. I have also tried to place the aircraft at an attitude, altitude, and distance at a point which I considered to be geographically sensible, so that you, the simulator pilot, could complete the approach in a skilled and professional manner. My intention has not been to make your task impossible, that exercise is plain stupid and immature, but encourage you to fly as near a perfect final approach as possible, so that you can bring about a safe and proper landing. My reward is believing that you can do it. Your reward is knowing that you can do it.
Seat up.
You can raise your pilot seat by pressing (Shift + Enter). To return your screen back to normal again press the (Spacebar). You can raise your seat by as many as (13) levels, although you should never have the occasion to need that many. This is a great tool for peering over the flight panel on difficult approaches so that you get a better view of the landscape. But while it can be a great tool at the beginning of an approach, it can be a real hazard if used throughout the flight. It is all too easy to forget that you have it on! In my opinion the best way to use it is to turn it on as soon as you find it necessary, then as soon as you think that your aspect could be viewed in normal mode better, turn it back straight away. If you leave it on throughout the flight it will give you a distorted view. For example, if you are making your final approach with your seat well raised, you may get the impression that you are descending, but when you scan your instruments, to your horror you'll most likely find that you are level flying, or worst still, climbing! So treat this option with caution, Used sensibly it is an asset, used insensibly it's a liability.
Resolution.
These videos were recorded in 1024 x 720 x 32. It is recommended that you use this resolution or higher for best results. They also work well in 800 x 600 x 32 if you prefer. Most simers who have a halfway decent computer will probably opt for 1024 x 720 x 32. Simers that want to change their screen resolution but are not sure how, here's what you do: Run MS 2004. Go to your drop down menu and select Options/Settings/Display/Hardware. Select the resolution you want, click OK and you're up and running with your new resolution. Dont go to the 'Start' button and change the resolution in your control panel because that will change the resolution of your entire computer. Thats not what you want; you only want to change the game control resolution as described above. Your permanent resolution will remain the same.
Graphics.
I recorded these videos using the default settings (low) except for a couple of things. I put cloud definition and the instrument panel on the highest setting. The reason for this is that the instrument panel and your immediate outside view are the two things that remain constant when you fly, therefore I like them to be as sharp as possible. You may find that the terrain is not as well defined as you would like it to be, so go ahead and change the settings to those that best serve your needs. You may also find it best to slide the Add-On Dynamic Scenery slider down to zero. This will lower or stop aircraft activity at airports on your final approach, otherwise you may find that too many aircraft get in your way as you make your descent.
Runway/Elevation Details.
You will be supplied with runway length and elevation details for each approach in the flight description page. Once you start your approach these details will no longer be available to you unless you stop your flight (which is a pain) and go to Map View and retrieve them there. Instead, I suggest that you keep a small notepad beside your computer and jot down the runway/elevation details before you start your flight. You will soon learn, if you haven't already, that these details are essential information in order to complete your approach in the best and safest way possible.
Approaches.
I have tried to make these approaches as interesting and as varied impossible. For instance, in these volumes you will land your aircraft on over a dozen different types of runway surface some will amuse you, some will amaze you. I won't spoil your fun by telling you what these surfaces are, but I can assure you they are all very interesting and highly enjoyable. You will travel all over the world visiting every difficult and dangerous airport MSFS 2004 has to offer - that right, the lot! Some of the approaches in these volumes are absolutely awesome, and although I have flown them on countless different occasions, I never tire of them, I'm still overwhelmed by their spectacular originality. You will fly in all types of weather conditions, from clear blue skies to thunderous cyclones. You will fly standard stock aircraft supplied by Microsoft in the original package. If you have altered the configuration of your aircraft from the original version, I imagine that your newly assigned aircraft will appear on your screen in their place. If an 'error message' appears carry on regardless and select an aircraft of your choice. Which brings up another point; to increase your enjoyment of these approaches try using all sorts of aircraft from your drop down menu; bend the rules a little and take things to the extreme. Push yourself, your aircraft, and FS 2004 to the max.
Best way to fly them.
In my opinion the best way to fly these approaches is to start with the first one in each volume and work your way through them progressively. Repeat each approach until you feel you have mastered it, then move on to the next approach and so on. If you don't do it this way I'll tell you what will happen you'll end up with up with a whole bunch of approaches that you have only half completed and not truly mastered. You may find that some approaches need to be practiced three or four times before you come to terms with them; others will take you a dozen or more attempts.Whether you believe this or not, I've got some approaches in store for you that will take you all of day and half of the night to figure out - and you still won't be able to get a handle on them! Just you wait and see? You don't believe me do you? Well, watch out for the ~ (STAR) ~ approach in volume 9, it's absolutely mind blowing! Then try and tell me I was exaggerating?
Final Word.
There are usually (10) approaches per volume, and some volumes contain as many as (12) if I thought both ends of a runway deserved recording. But based on a (10) runway volume, and assuming that each approach takes six minutes (which is a reasonable average,) it would take you and hour to complete each volume. If each approach is repeated until you get it right, it's quite conceivable that there's several hours of entertainment wrapped up in each volume. Here's another suggestion for your consideration. Once you have mastered every approach in each volume, why not adjust the settings to make them more difficult to accomplish. Each approach can be changed I'd say a minimum of about four times, and before you know it you'll have forty approaches per volume on you hands. Change the settings randomly, and for goodness sake don't 'save' the files or you'll have them coming out your ears - remember I've got a lot of volumes yet to release and you'll end up with thousands of files if you save them all! Surprise yourself with your own inventiveness, and if you happen to develop some really good weather settings write them down in a notebook for future use and perhaps share them with friends.
I have received an enormous amount of pleasure putting these approaches together for you. This project has given me quite an education, and I'm a far better simer now than when I first started. Quite frankly I've improved out of sight, and so will you too. If you get the same amount of pleasure practicing these approaches, as I have had putting them together, then it has all been well worthwhile.
Look for volume 3 of Doherty's Difficult and Dangerous Approaches at your favourite website coming soon.
