How do you fly an ILS approach in Infinite Flight?

To fly an ILS approach in Infinite Flight, select the ILS runway, tune its frequency into NAV1, join the localiser from below the glideslope at a shallow angle, and arm APPR. Let the autopilot capture lateral and vertical guidance, monitor speed and configuration, then disconnect to land—or go around if unstable.

The mistake we see most often is treating the flight plan and ILS receiver as one system. The route positions the aircraft for final approach; NAV1 and APPR provide the actual localiser and glideslope guidance.

How do you set up the ILS in Infinite Flight?

Set up the runway, receiver, intercept and missed approach before beginning the descent.

1. Select the correct runway. Confirm that the intended runway has an ILS, then note its frequency, inbound course and approach direction. The opposite end normally uses different data, and the runway number is only a rounded indication of magnetic direction.
2. Load the approach. Add the appropriate approach and transition to the flight plan where the interface provides them. This should place you sensibly for final, but it does not remove the need to check NAV1.
3. Tune NAV1. Use the runway tuning command or the navigation-radio controls, depending on the interface and aircraft. Confirm that the exact ILS frequency is active rather than sitting in standby. If Infinite Flight tunes it automatically, verify it anyway.
4. Brief the approach. Note the published intercept altitude, localiser course, minimums and missed-approach instructions. Set the correct pressure and follow charted restrictions rather than relying on a generic altitude.

Infinite Flight simplifies some cockpit systems, but the capture geometry remains the same as in our simulator-wide explanation of localiser and glideslope capture.

Infinite Flight ILS approach step by step

1. Reach the intercept altitude. Arrive level at the published altitude and below the glideslope. On a conventional vertical deviation display, a glideslope pointer above centre means the path is still above the aircraft, which is the correct side for capture.
2. Create a shallow localiser intercept. Use heading mode to approach final at roughly 20–30 degrees rather than turning directly across it. Reduce the angle if you are close to the runway or travelling quickly.
3. Configure before capture. Reduce speed and select the appropriate flap and gear settings early enough to avoid large changes on the glideslope. Approach mode does not guarantee speed control; manage thrust yourself or use the aircraft’s supported speed mode.
4. Arm APPR. With the autopilot engaged, the ILS indications visible and the aircraft approaching the localiser, press APPR. The localiser normally captures first, followed by the glideslope. Keep altitude hold until glideslope capture occurs automatically rather than commanding an early descent.
5. Verify both captures. Watch the mode annunciations and deviation indicators. A lit approach button may mean that capture is merely armed. Once established, avoid selecting heading, vertical-speed or altitude commands that cancel approach guidance.
6. Continue or go around. Monitor localiser, glideslope, speed, thrust, flaps and landing gear. Disconnect at a comfortable visual height and land manually. At minimums, go around if the runway environment is not visible or the approach is no longer stabilised.

When should you press APPR in Infinite Flight?

Arm APPR when NAV1 is receiving the correct ILS, the aircraft is near the published intercept altitude, the glideslope is above it and the localiser is approaching centre. Arming it too late can produce an overshoot; arming it from an unsuitable position can lead to an unexpected capture.

If NAV keeps following the route instead of turning onto the localiser, check the difference between GPS/NAV route tracking and radio ILS guidance.

Why won’t the ILS capture in Infinite Flight?

Capture failures usually come from incorrect tuning, poor intercept geometry or approaching the glideslope from above.

• No localiser or glideslope indication: verify that the runway actually has an ILS, the correct frequency is active in NAV1 and you selected the intended runway end.
• The aircraft crosses the localiser: reduce speed, use a smaller intercept angle and arm APPR before reaching the centreline.
• Localiser captures but glideslope does not: you may be above the path, using a localiser-only facility or still too far from usable glideslope coverage. Do not dive to chase it; reposition for another intercept from below.
• NAV continues following the flight plan: confirm that approach mode is armed and that the autopilot is engaged. A loaded approach is not the same as an active ILS capture.
• The aircraft turns towards the wrong final: check for a reciprocal-runway frequency, incorrect inbound course or an approach loaded for the opposite runway.
• The descent becomes unstable: control speed and configuration, and avoid overriding the captured glideslope with altitude or vertical-speed inputs.

Our explanation of why a glideslope must be intercepted from below covers the vertical indication and the most common false-capture mistake in more detail.

Does Infinite Flight APPR mode mean autoland?

No—treat APPR as approach coupling, not a guarantee of autoland. Aircraft implementations differ, and remaining coupled near the runway does not prove that the model will flare, reduce thrust or track the centreline after touchdown.

Plan to disconnect and land manually once visual and stable. Gear, flap, speed, flare, reverse thrust and braking remain the pilot’s responsibility unless the specific simulated aircraft explicitly provides and correctly annunciates those functions.