Introduction | Designing Missions | The Mission Window | Initial Aircraft Setup | Phases of Flight | Procedures and Sites | 3D Mission Editing| Catalogs
Arc | Basic Point to Point | Enroute | Holding - Circular | Holding - Figure-8 | Holding - Racetrack | Landing | Takeoff | Terrain Following
There are nine standard procedures - Arc, Basic Point to Point, Enroute, Holding - Circular, Holding - Figure-8, Holding - Racetrack, Landing, Takeoff, and Terrain Following. There are four groups of properties that are common to multiple procedures - Enroute Cruise Airspeed, (Hold, Arc) Cruise Airspeed, Enroute Options, and Navigation Options. These properties are defined in their own sections and are linked from the procedures that use them.
An Arc procedure is a maneuver along the perimeter of a circle of a user-specified radius, in which the velocity vector of the aircraft is maintained perpendicular to the vector from the current position to the procedure site. The center point of the circle is the procedure's site.
If the aircraft cannot achieve the defined altitude (either by using the default cruise altitude or by specifying an altitude), the aircraft will finish the maneuver at the highest or lowest altitude it could achieve, depending on whether it was ascending or descending; no warning will be given.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Join Arc point, and the Exit Arc point - as indicated in the diagram below. The Join Arc point is placed relative to the procedure site, along the Start Bearing and at a distance equal to the Radius. The Exit Arc point is placed at the end of the arc as defined by the Turn Angle. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| Delay Arc Climbs and Descents | Select to have the aircraft begin climbing or descending at a point in time during the procedure such that it will achieve the new altitude by the end of the procedure. If this option is not selected, then the aircraft will begin climbing or descending to the specified altitude immediately. |
| Start Arc Alt | Define the altitude of the aircraft at the beginning and end of the arc, if you are not using the default cruise altitude of the aircraft. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Stop Arc Alt | |
| Turn Direction | Select the turn direction of the arc from the start bearing. |
| Start Bearing | Define the start bearing of the arc. Specify a True or Magnetic north reference using the drop-down menu. |
| Radius | Define the radius of the circle. |
| Turn Angle | Define the angle that will define the arc's length, measured from the start bearing. |
| Join Arc |
Select from the following options:
This field is inactive if the airspeed of the aircraft is too high to provide enough room to make a turn with the specified radius and arc angle. |
| Exit Arc |
Select from the following options:
This field is inactive if the airspeed of the aircraft is too high to provide enough room to make a turn with the specified radius and arc angle. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Arc Cruise Airspeed, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A Basic Point to Point procedure is a basic traverse between two waypoints. The aircraft travels along a route from the end of the previous procedure to the site of the current procedure, taking into account the specific heading at the end of the last procedure and setting the aircraft to a specified heading at the end of the current procedure. The aircraft will always achieve the specified speed and altitude, without respect to the Min and Max Thrust Deceleration/Acceleration settings or the Climb and Descent performance models; it will smoothly accelerate / decelerate along the vertical profile such that it will arrive at the final position at the speed corresponding to the cruise model speed for the altitude.
The procedure contains one control point - the procedure site - as indicated in the diagram below.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| Altitude | If Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude has been deselected, define the aircraft's altitude for the procedure. Select the AGL (Above Ground Level) or MSL (Mean Sea Level) reference and enter an altitude in the specified units. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Flight Path Angle | Define the pitch angle of the flight path at the end of the procedure. |
| Radius Factor | The Radius Factor is the maximum amount - expressed as a multiplier - that the radius of a vertical curve will be increased to minimize the flight path angle required to complete it. The full circles that correspond (or are tangent) to the start/stop curves at the extended radius may not intersect if the Radius Factor is set high enough. This parameter is a limit and may not actually be achieved due to the requirement to generate an appropriate curve sequence. You can adjust the slider or enter the value manually in the box, with the minimum value being 1 and the maximum value being 10. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Navigation Options, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
An Enroute procedure is a point to point procedure that makes a complex traverse between two waypoints. The aircraft travels along a route from the end of the previous procedure to the site of the current procedure, taking into account the specific heading at the end of the last procedure and setting the aircraft to a specified heading at the end of the current procedure. What makes the Enroute procedure a complex traverse is its use of performance models to define the specific performance of the aircraft during the procedure.
The methodology of the Enroute procedure is the default methodology used by the Aircraft Mission Modeler when calculating a route between procedures, such as traveling from the end of the previous procedure to the beginning of a holding pattern.
If the aircraft cannot achieve the defined altitude (either by using the default cruise altitude or by specifying an altitude), the user can specify if the aircraft will stop at the highest or lowest altitude attainable, depending on whether it was ascending or descending, or if it will perform leveling off turns to achieve the desired altitude; no warning will be given.
The procedure contains one control point - the procedure site - as indicated in the diagram below.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| MSL Altitude | If Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude has been deselected, define the aircraft's altitude - using the Mean Sea Level (MSL) reference - for the procedure. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Must level off at altitude | Select to require the aircraft to level off at the specified altitude. A maneuver is used to bring the aircraft to the altitude specified for a procedure if it is unable to attain that altitude during the course of the procedure. If this option is not selected, the aircraft will simply achieve the highest or lowest - if climbing or descending, respectively - altitude possible while performing the procedure. |
| Level Off Maneuver |
A level off maneuver is used to bring an aircraft to the altitude specified for a procedure, if the aircraft is unable to attain that altitude during the course of that procedure. Select from the following leveling off options:
|
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Navigation Options, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A circular holding procedure is a patrol in a circular pattern. The holding point for the procedure is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding circle and is the reference point for procedures that are set to end on a heading to the next procedure. This holding point is defined by a bearing and range from the procedure site; the holding circle will be tangent to this line of bearing from the site. The site of a holding procedure is only a reference point for the holding pattern, and may not be encompassed by the aircraft's flight path.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Holding point, and the Quarter Circle point - as indicated in the diagram below. The Holding Point is placed relative to the procedure site, along the Bearing and at a distance equal to the Range. The Quarter Circle point is placed one quarter of the distance along the pattern's perimeter, in the direction that the aircraft will fly the pattern. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| MSL Altitude | If Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude has been deselected, define the aircraft's altitude - using the Mean Sea Level (MSL) reference - for the procedure. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Profile Mode |
The profile mode defines how the aircraft will perform during the holding pattern with respect to airspeed and altitude. Select from the following modes:
|
| Level Off Maneuver |
A level off maneuver is used to bring an aircraft to the altitude specified for a procedure, if the aircraft is unable to attain that altitude during the course of that procedure. Select from the following leveling off options:
|
| Bearing | Define the bearing of the holding point from the site. Specify a True or Magnetic north reference using the drop-down menu. |
| Range | Define the distance to the holding point from the site. |
| Diameter | Define the diameter of the holding pattern. |
| Use Alternate Entry Points | Select to have the aircraft enter the holding pattern from an alternate point rather than the holding point described above. The alternate point will be tangent to the holding pattern. The aircraft will exit the pattern at the holding point, as normal. If the final heading of the previous procedure is set to automatically point to the next procedure, it will point at the hold point and not the entry point. |
| Turn Direction | Select an option to define if the aircraft enters the hold inbound or outbound from the site along the bearing and if the aircraft turns left or right during the procedure. |
| Number of Full Turns | Define the number of times that the aircraft will complete the holding pattern. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Hold Cruise Airspeed, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A figure-8 holding procedure is a patrol in a figure-8 pattern about the holding point. The holding point for the procedure is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding circle and is the reference point for procedures that are set to end on a heading to the next procedure. This holding point is defined by a bearing and range from the procedure site; the figure-8 length axis is oriented along the line of bearing to the site. The site of a holding procedure is only a reference point for the holding pattern, and may not be encompassed by the aircraft's flight path.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Holding point, and the Figure-8 point - as indicated in the diagram below. The Holding Point is placed relative to the procedure site, along the Bearing and at a distance equal to the Range. The Figure 8 point is placed at a right angle from the bearing at the widest point of the pattern, in the direction that the aircraft will fly the pattern. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| MSL Altitude | If Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude has been deselected, define the aircraft's altitude - using the Mean Sea Level (MSL) reference - for the procedure. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Profile Mode |
The profile mode defines how the aircraft will perform during the holding pattern with respect to airspeed and altitude. Select from the following modes:
|
| Level Off Maneuver |
A level off maneuver is used to bring an aircraft to the altitude specified for a procedure, if the aircraft is unable to attain that altitude during the course of that procedure. Select from the following leveling off options:
|
| Bearing | Define the bearing of the holding point, which is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding pattern. Specify a True or Magnetic north reference using the drop-down menu. |
| Range | Define the distance to the holding point, which is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding pattern. |
| Width | Define the width of the holding pattern. |
| Length | Define the distance between the centers of the pattern's arcs. |
| Use Alternate Entry Points | Select to have the aircraft enter the holding pattern from an alternate point rather than the holding point described above. The alternate point will be an endpoint of a straight leg, or along the arc at the end, or the midpoint of the straight segment, whichever is the most efficient point to arrive at. The aircraft will exit the pattern at the holding point, as normal. If the final heading of the previous procedure is set to automatically point to the next procedure, it will point at the hold point and not the entry point. |
| Number of Full Turns | Define the number of times that the aircraft will complete the holding pattern. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Hold Cruise Airspeed, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A racetrack holding procedure is a patrol in a rectangular oval. The holding point for the procedure is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding circle and is the reference point for procedures that are set to end on a heading to the next procedure. This holding point is defined by a bearing and range from the procedure site; the racetrack is oriented parallel to the line of bearing. The site of a holding procedure is only a reference point for the holding pattern, and may not be encompassed by the aircraft's flight path.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Holding point, and the Racetrack point - as indicated in the diagram below. The Holding Point is placed relative to the procedure site, along the Bearing and at a distance equal to the Range. The Racetrack point is placed at the opposite end of the Holding Point, on the opposing wall of the pattern. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude | Select to define the altitude of the procedure using the default cruise altitude specified in the currently selected cruise performance model. |
| MSL Altitude | If Use Aircraft Default Cruise Altitude has been deselected, define the aircraft's altitude - using the Mean Sea Level (MSL) reference - for the procedure. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Profile Mode |
The profile mode defines how the aircraft will perform during the holding pattern with respect to airspeed and altitude. Select from the following modes:
|
| Level Off |
A level off maneuver is used to bring an aircraft to the altitude specified for a procedure, if the aircraft is unable to attain that altitude during the course of that procedure. Select from the following leveling off options:
|
| Bearing | Define the bearing of the holding point, which is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding pattern. Specify a True or Magnetic north reference using the drop-down menu. |
| Range | Define the distance to the holding point, which is the point at which the aircraft enters and exits the holding pattern. |
| Width | Define the width of the holding pattern. |
| Length | Define the distance between the centers of the pattern's arcs. |
| Entry Maneuver |
The entry maneuver defines how the aircraft will enter the holding pattern. Select from the following maneuver options:
|
| Turn Direction | Select an option to define if the aircraft enters the hold inbound or outbound from the site along the bearing and if the aircraft turns left or right during the procedure. |
| Number of Full Turns | Define the number of times that the aircraft will complete the holding pattern. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Hold Cruise Airspeed, Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A Landing procedure brings an aircraft down from the air to a runway site.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Initial Approach Fix point, and the Touchdown point - as indicated in the diagram below. The procedure site is defined as the center of the runway. The Initial Approach Fix point is placed at distance from the procedure site equal to the Initial Approach Fix Range. The Touchdown point is placed at the point that the aircraft will reach ground level after descending on the Glideslope from the Initial Approach Fix point. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Approach Mode |
Select the type of landing from:
|
| Use runway heading | Select the runway heading that the aircraft will use. The first numerical value indicates the bearing relative to magnetic north and the second value indicates the bearing relative to true north. These values are derived from the runway site definition. |
| Approach Alt Above Runway | Define the aircraft's altitude at the Initial Approach Fix Range. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Level Off Maneuver |
A level off maneuver is used to bring an aircraft to the approach altitude specified for the landing procedure, if the aircraft is unable to attain that altitude during the course of the procedure. Select from the following leveling off options:
|
| Initial Approach Fix Range | Define the range from the center point of the runway at which the aircraft begins its landing approach. |
| Glideslope | Define the angle from horizontal on which the aircraft descends to touchdown. |
| Runway Altitude Offset | Define an altitude offset above the ground level of the procedure site, if desired. |
| Use Terrain for Runway Altitude | Select to use terrain data to define the runway's ground level altitude. Aircraft Mission Modeler will find the highest altitude along the runway and use that value for its landing roll. |
| Radius Factor | The Radius Factor is the maximum amount - expressed as a multiplier - that the radius of a vertical curve will be increased to minimize the flight path angle required to complete it. The full circles that correspond (or are tangent) to the start/stop curves at the extended radius may not intersect if the Radius Factor is set high enough. This parameter is a limit and may not actually be achieved due to the requirement to generate an appropriate curve sequence. You can adjust the slider or enter the value manually in the box, with the minimum value being 1 and the maximum value being 10. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Enroute Options, and Enroute Cruise Airspeed parameters.
A Takeoff procedure launches an aircraft from a runway site into the air.
The procedure contains three control points - the procedure site, the Wheels Release point, and the Departure point - as indicated in the diagram below. The procedure site is defined as the runway center, and the point at which the aircraft lifts off the ground. The Wheels Release point is placed at a distance from the procedure site that is equal to the distance of the aircraft's ground roll before takeoff. The Departure point is placed at a distance from the procedure site equal to the Departure Point Range, and defines the end point of the procedure. Click the image to view a detailed diagram.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| Use runway heading | Select the runway heading that the aircraft will use. The first numerical value indicates the bearing relative to magnetic north and the second value indicates the bearing relative to true north. These values are derived from the runway site definition. |
| Mode |
Select the type of takeoff from:
|
| Departure Alt Above Runway | Define the aircraft's altitude when it departs the runway. The altitude is constrained by the lowest ceiling value of the active performance models in the current mission phase. |
| Departure Point Range | Define the distance that the aircraft will travel downrange when departing the runway and before beginning the next procedure. |
| Runway Altitude Offset | Define an altitude offset above the ground level of the procedure site, if desired. |
| Use Terrain for Runway Altitude | Select to use terrain data to define the runway's ground level altitude. Aircraft Mission Modeler will find the highest altitude along the runway and use that value for its takeoff roll. |
A Terrain Following procedure is a point to point procedure that applies terrain data to the aircraft's route, adjusting its altitude or flight path as needed to avoid intersecting with geographic features. It is not constrained by the aircraft's ceiling. The process of terrain following begins at the end of the previous procedure and ends at the Terrain Following procedure's site. The Terrain Following procedure disregards the Climb and Descent models, using the Terrain Follow performance model's Max Pitch Angle and Speed values to define climbs and descents.
For the purposes of 3D editing, the altitude of control points is defined by the local terrain height plus the minimum terrain clearance altitude (AGL Altitude) specified for the procedure. The aircraft may fly higher if the parameters of the Terrain Follow performance model, the local terrain, and the specified ground path over the terrain require the aircraft to fly higher.
The procedure contains one control point - the procedure site - as indicated in the diagram below.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Enter a specific name for the procedure, if desired. |
| AGL Altitude | Define the minimum Above Ground Level (AGL) altitude that the aircraft will maintain during the procedure. |
| Turn Factor | The Turn Factor is the maximum amount - expressed as a multiplier - that the turn radius will be increased to minimize the bank angle required to complete the turn. The full circles that correspond (or are tangent) to the start/stop turns at the extended radius may not intersect if the Turn Factor is set high enough. This parameter is a limit and may not actually be achieved due to the requirement to generate an appropriate turn sequence. You can adjust the slider or enter the value manually in the box, with the minimum value being 1 and the maximum value being 10. |
In addition to the parameters described above, this procedure is defined by a set of Navigation Options.
All standard procedures have a set of enroute cruise airspeed properties, including most or all of the parameters described in the following table to define the enroute airspeeds of the procedure. Some procedures (e.g., the Arc procedure) also have a second set of cruise airspeed properties that define the cruise airspeed of the aircraft during the procedure's maneuver; these cruise airspeed properties are labeled according to the procedure name and are grouped separately from the enroute cruise airspeed properties.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Airspeed Type |
Select the method for determining the airspeed from the following options:
With the exception of Other Airspeed, the actual airspeed will be defined by the currently selected cruise performance model, or possibly by the currently selected climb or descent performance model if the aircraft is climbing or descending. |
| Airspeed | Displays the airspeed. If the airspeed type is Other Airspeed, enter the desired airspeed value; otherwise, the calculated value will be displayed and cannot be edited. Select a reference from the drop-down menu - true airspeed (TAS), calibrated airspeed (CAS), equivalent airspeed (EAS), or Mach number. |
All standard procedures have a set of enroute properties, including most or all of the parameters described in the following table to define the enroute flight segments of the procedure.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Delay Enroute Climbs and Descents | Select to have the aircraft begin climbing or descending at a point in time during the procedure such that it won't achieve the new altitude until the start of the arc or pattern, or until it has reached the procedure site (whichever is applicable to the specific procedure). |
| Use Max Speed When Computing Turn Radii | Select to force the aircraft maintain its cruise speed when turning, even if doing so will result in the aircraft making a turn large enough that it takes longer to complete than it would complete a slower, smaller turn. |
| Turn Factor | The Turn Factor is the maximum amount - expressed as a multiplier - that the turn radius will be increased to minimize the bank angle required to complete the turn. The factor is applied only to turns that are performed enroute to the procedure's first control point. The full circles that correspond (or are tangent) to the start/stop turns at the extended radius may not intersect if the factor is set high enough. This parameter is a limit and may not actually be achieved due to the requirement to generate an appropriate turn sequence. You can adjust the slider or enter the value manually in the box, with the minimum value being 1 and the maximum value being 10. |
There are three procedures that fall into the category of "point-to-point" procedures - Basic Point to Point, Enroute, and Terrain Following. All three share a set of parameters called Navigation Options. Navigation options define the manner in which the aircraft will fly from the previous procedure to the current procedure's site. The following table explains the individual parameters in detail:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Fly Direct to Waypoint | The aircraft will fly directly to the procedure site from the end of the previous procedure, turning as necessary. |
| Inscribed Turn at Waypoint | The aircraft will perform an inscribed turn, placing it on a heading to the first control point of the next procedure at a point no further than half of the distance to that waypoint. The aircraft will attempt to adhere to the Turn Factor, but will reduce that value if needed to ensure that it does not arrive on the final heading beyond the halfway mark. Similarly, the aircraft may violate the acceleration performance model to ensure that it completes the turn in the proper distance; in the event that the model is violated, information will be displayed in the Message Viewer. When performing an inscribed turn, the aircraft will not pass over the current procedure's site unless the turn radius is zero. |
| Start/Arrive on heading to next waypoint | The aircraft will start or arrive at the procedure site on a
heading determined by the next procedure so as to avoid an
immediate turn correction by the next procedure. |
| Start/Arrive on heading | The aircraft will start or arrive at the procedure site on a specific heading. Define the heading and then specify a True or Magnetic north reference using the drop-down menu. |
Since all three of the point-to-point procedures achieve the same goal, the manner in which a procedure determines the route taken is what distinguishes it from the others. The following table displays the characteristics of each point-to-point procedure, to aid in selecting the best procedure for your need. A "point-to-point" procedure that is the first procedure of the mission will have only one point, which is both the start and end of the procedure.
| Procedure Characteristic | Enroute | Basic Point to Point | Terrain Following |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses Point-to-Point Navigator | X | X | X |
| Uses Advanced Terrain Following algorithm | _ | _ | X |
| Speed and altitude profile determined by aircraft performance models | X | _ | _ |
| Direct, unconstrained climbs and descents | _ | X | _ |
| Climbs and descents may be immediate or delayed till procedure end | X | _ | _ |
| Employs Level-Off Maneuver when necessary | X | _ | _ |
| Speed at procedure end determined by steady state Cruise model | _ | X | _ |
| Air speed determined by Terrain Following model | _ | _ | X |
| Turn radius computed by Acceleration model | X | X | X |
| Turn radius may be relaxed | X | X | X |
| User may specify heading at waypoint | X | X | X |
| User may specify flight path angle at waypoint | _ | X | _ |
| Accepts altitudes as terrain offsets | _ | X | X |