NEW with 2026 version:
* Airport Size Filter
We've added a filter to approach only airports of a specified size.
* Runway Heading Filter
Filter to runways between two headings.
As well as the usual key features:
* Preview an approach
Preview an approach on Google maps before you fly it. This is a great way to see what an approach will look like and gives you a chance to pick out handy visual cues.
* Graph Flap usage
Flaps has been added to the graphing so now you can easily see if you are lowering and raising flaps at the correct times.
* Graph Throttle usage
Throttle % has been added to the graphing so now you can easily see if you are managing power appropriately. Are you treating your engine(s) with respect?
* View City and Country of Matched Runways
The matched runways popup now shows City and Country in addition to Length, Elevation, Surface, and ILS availability.
* Filter by US State and/or Country
We've added US State and Country to the existing search criteria (ICAO prefix, Length, Elevation and Surface). You can use these filters to see only runways that match and select which to approach.
* Detailed Approach Mapping & Graphing!
FS Instant Approach 2026 now brings you powerful tools to review your approaches in great detail. Your approach is recorded automatically for you as you near your destination and the route can be examined later.
Simply press the [Save and View Map of Flight] button at the flight plan page of FS Instant Approach after you have completed your approach.
You can review earlier flight maps by pressing the [View All Maps] button at the flight plan page of FS Instant Approach.
Key flight data is graphed and included with the maps displayed so you can concentrate on areas you may need to improve to get on track for those perfect approaches.
Use your mouse to hover over the map or graph to see the relevant position, altitude, KIAS, AGL, vertical speed and throttle %!
This powerful combination of map and graph means you will get the answers you need.
“What was my airspeed over the threshold?”
“Did I maintain an optimal rate of descent?”
…and much more.
FS Instant Approach 2026 has got you covered!
Set yourself up 'on final' or ready to intersect final approach, from any angle, for a more challenging flight. For a tougher assignment, set up to fly the traffic pattern approach to any runway, beginning on the 'downwind' leg of the pattern.
How does it work?
FS Instant Approach 2026 gives you the opportunity to instantly practice approaches and landings at any runway in the world!
You have three types of approach to choose from:
* On Final - You will start your approach lined up with the runway
* Intersect Final - You will begin flying a course that will intersect your final approach
* Downwind - You will begin at the start of the Downwind leg of the traffic pattern
* Enter Pattern - You will begin on a flightpath to enter the downwind leg of the pattern abeam the midpoint of the destination runway
FS Instant Approach 2026 offers many different ways to set up these approaches using the following controls:
ICAO Code
Enter the code of the airport at which you wish to practice a landing, for example, KGRB (Green Bay) or KORD (Chicago). The program allows any airport in the world, for example, EGLL (London Heathrow) or KLAX (Los Angeles).
Approach Airport
Press this button to find the runway in the FS Instant Approach 2026 runway data and set it as your approach airport.
Approach Random Airport
Press this button to select a random runway - anywhere in the world - and set it as your approach airport. Note that the runway information is displayed when the button is pressed. You may wish to press again for a different runway if the runway randomly selected is unsuitable for your aircraft (for example - it is too short for your airliner!).
Nautical Miles out from runway
This is the length of the 'on final' leg of your approach.
Use these two boxes to enter the distance you want to start from and the runway that you wish to land at.
Note that the length of the 'on final' leg is ignored if you choose to fly an approach starting you on the 'Downwind' leg of the traffic pattern.
Flying at
Choose the speed at which you would like to start the approach.
Intersect from
Check this box if you wish to start your approach from a path that intersects your final approach path at an angle. The default is 45 degrees, but you can set this to any angle you wish. You will then be able to select it from left or right and to choose the length of the intercepting path.
Note that if this option is chosen, your altitude remains that computed by FS Instant Approach 2026 for a straight in approach at the distance given in 'Nautical Miles out from runway'.
Left
Choose this option if you wish to start your approach from a path that intersects your final approach path, from the left, at an angle you choose. You will also want to choose the length of the intercepting path. When you return to X-Plane to fly, you will notice that the runway is to your left.
Right
Choose this option if you wish to start your approach from a path that intersects your final approach path, from the right, at an angle you choose. You will also want to choose the length of the intercepting path. When you return to X-Plane to fly, you will notice that the runway is to your right.
Nautical miles back
If you have chosen to intersect your final approach leg, this is where you specify the distance back from that intersection that you will start the flight. Note that this distance is in addition to the distance you start your final approach leg from the runway.
You can either specify the distance in nautical miles or choose the "AUTO" option in which case you will start approximately 1 minute back from the intersection point based on your initial speed.
Downwind
Check this box if you wish to begin your approach at the start of the 'Downwind' leg of the traffic pattern at that runway. This means that you will start with your airplane abeam the far end of the runway you have chosen to land at, facing in the opposite direction, at 1000 feet AAL (above airfield level) and at a distance based on your speed. (Several of these settings can be changed if you wish - see below). You will then be able to select it for a left or right traffic pattern and to choose the length of the 'Base' leg of the traffic pattern.
-- Left
Choose this option if you wish to begin your approach at the start of the 'Downwind' leg of the Left Traffic pattern at that runway. When you load the approach into X-Plane to fly, you will notice that the runway is to your right.
-- Right
Choose this option if you wish to begin your approach at the start of the 'Downwind' leg of the Right Traffic pattern at that runway. When you load the approach into X-Plane to fly, you will notice that the runway is to your left.
-- Nautical miles Base
If you have chosen to fly the Downwind leg, this is where you specify the lateral distance from the runway at which you will start the flight.
You can either specify the distance in nautical miles or choose the "AUTO" option in which case you will start approximately 1 minute of flying from the runway based on your initial speed.
Show Approach Types Available
Press this button to display a pop-up diagram of the 3 types of approaches available and instructions on how to quickly set them up!
ICAO Codes start with
If you wish to restrict randomly chosen airports so that they begin with a preferred letter or letters, you can enter the letters here. For example, enter "K" if you want codes that start with "K" such as KLAX (Los Angeles Intl) and KJFK (Kennedy Intl), or "EG" for airports such as EGLL (Heathrow) and EGLC (London City).
Runway Elevation
Random airports can also be filtered by elevation. Check this box if you want to specify the minimum or maximum elevation in feet of the airports to include in random selection.
Note - if you want no minimum then leave the selection blank - do not set it to "0000" as that will exclude runways which are below mean sea level. Likewise, if you want no upper limit, leave that selection blank.
Runway Length
Random airports can also be filtered by length. Check this box if you want to specify the minimum or maximum length in feet of the airports to include in random selection.
Note - if you want no minimum then leave the selection blank. Likewise, if you want no upper limit, leave that selection blank. This is a great way to practice short field approaches... or to make sure there is enough room to land that big airliner!
Runway Surface
Random runways can also be filtered by the type of surface. This can be left blank or you can select a particular surface type of you wish.
How about landing on concrete today?! Dirt tomorrow?
Altitude
It is essential to note that this setting is not required. If you wish, you can set the altitude (in feet) above MSL or AAL (Above Airfield Level) at which the airplane begins the approach, but this is optional. If this is not chosen, altitude for the approach is computed automatically.
