Hi,

I had flown form Stansted (EGSS) to Schiphol (EHAM) using the default FSX ATC yesterday. While descending, the controller told me to expect vectors for the visual approach runway 36L at EHAM. So I changed my approach and requested a ILS to 36C. Then the controller told me to expect vectors for 36C but said this then: "Sidestep runway 36L" So I thought he meant that I should ignore the first approach clearance. As the approach progressed, the approach controller at EHAM cleared me for the ILS 36C. I contacted the tower shortly thereafter and I told this: "Schiphol Tower, World Travel 268 10 miles out inbound ILS runway 36C, sidestep runway 36L" Then the controller said this: "World Travel 268 make straight in runway 36L." I just continued my approach to 36C and the controller cleared me to land on 36C so things went fine. But I don't understand what is a 'sidestep'. Is it something like a circle to land clearance? Or something else?

Thanks,
RRN1995

With sidestep he meant that you ILS approach for runway 36C and then as soon as 36L is visible, you change your heading and visual approach for 36L. So in that case, the ATC wants you to land on 36L, but you are allowed to use the 36C ILS for the first part of the approach.

Note that the EHAM approach procedures are not anything like the real ones in FS.

Thanks for the reply. I get what it means now. But a strange thing is that the controller had cleared to me land on 36C though...Or is it because I continued my approach without shooting the visual on runway 36L? I think the default ATC is really unrealistic.

Thanks,
RRN1995