Question for SWA pilot

[Capt.Ed]

Can you give me some info on flying the ILS 31 center circle to land 22 left. When you are on the approach, when do you break off the ILS and start your circle to 22left. Thanks so much for helping us out here realize our dream to fly.

Ed

[swapilot]

In RWF it is a little tougher from the right seat, but there are good landmarks to follow for a nice approach, all while keeping a 700fpm descent. If you have the PMDG you could build an approach to gauge your flight path.

You would start by selecting RWY 22L on the APP page and build a 2.0 mile extension. Then from there input the 31C waypoints RUNTS, HOBEL, and enter HOBEL010/4.0. If you close up all of the discontinuities you should have a very nice path to the runway along with a VNAV vector to keep you on the right descent path.

[Capt.Ed]

In RWF it is a little tougher from the right seat, but there are good landmarks to follow for a nice approach, all while keeping a 700fpm descent. If you have the PMDG you could build an approach to gauge your flight path.

You would start by selecting RWY 22L on the APP page and build a 2.0 mile extension. Then from there input the 31C waypoints RUNTS, HOBEL, and enter HOBEL010/4.0. If you close up all of the discontinuities you should have a very nice path to the runway along with a VNAV vector to keep you on the right descent path.

Thanks for all the info. You have really helped all of us out. Thanks for your time and patience.

[chumley50]

Great question Capt Ed...are you from the Chicagoland area..you seem familiar with Midway airport??...and SWA pilot...again... really appreciate your help with these questions about what the Real Captains do...anyway ..regarding the ILS 31C approach...circle to land 22L...I've heard real world pilots don't really like that approach..it's very difficult and requires precise flying...I've been on-board planes( Southwest and ATA).. when this approach was being used...it's kind of scary for us passengers with all the steep turning and being so close to the ground...I've tried this approach several times..on FS9..flying a 737....I either overshoot my turn or come up short...heard the FAA is researching a new approach to 22L...ILS or GPS??..not sure which....thanks again SWA Pilot

[Capt.Ed]

Great question Capt Ed...are you from the Chicagoland area..you seem familiar with Midway airport??...and SWA pilot...again... really appreciate your help with these questions about what the Real Captains do...anyway ..regarding the ILS 31C approach...circle to land 22L...I've heard real world pilots don't really like that approach..it's very difficult and requires precise flying...I've been on-board planes( Southwest and ATA).. when this approach was being used...it's kind of scary for us passengers with all the steep turning and being so close to the ground...I've tried this approach several times..on FS9..flying a 737....I either overshoot my turn or come up short...heard the FAA is researching a new approach to 22L...ILS or GPS??..not sure which....thanks again SWA Pilot

Hey chumley50,
I grew up not to far from Midway. I am now living about 50 miles away but about once a month I make it back out to Midway or O'hare and watch the planes land and t/o. I am an ex-Firefighter so I have a scanner in my vehicle which is great when I am at the airports so I hear all the traffic. One thing about where I live now,is when the planes are on approach to Midway they sometimes fly direct joliet vor which takes them right over my house in Morris. Plus I have been to Midway several times in the past weeks to welcome home our World Champions Chicago White Sox. Go Sox!

[swapilot]

I've heard real world pilots don't really like that approach..it's very difficult and requires precise flying

The toughest thing about the circle is remembering that on base you may have a tailwind that will make you overshoot final. Other than that it is not really too difficult an approach if you view it as a modified downwind, base and final visual to 22L.

[chumley50]

Thanks again SWA pilot for your answer...and Capt Ed..like you I grew up sort of near Midway..79th & Kedzie area which put the planes on final for 31L...as it was called back then...right over my house..great views and I remember riding my bicycle..with friends..to Midway...stopping at White Castles...(63 & Cicero)... and going across the street where 31L was so close..the pilots would wave at us before the take-off!!..ahh the old days....have a few retired CFD's working at my job..all good guys...father was a CPD Lieut...take care Capt Ed...keep watching those planes lining up for 4R!!...I get them flying over Orland Park also...

[chumley50]

Forgot....GO SOX!!!!!....it's was about time!!!!