Originally Posted by
After Burner
How are you able to tell from the ground if approaches are visual or instrument (don't know what you mean by "automated")? Are you also listening in on a VHF radio?
Yes I can listen to VHF radio or ATCnet through the internet (although this options breaks the data limits).
The visual and manual flown airplanes will go off script with ATC approval, where as the instrument and automated flown airplanes with stick to the script. Using YVR as an example, AC and KLM cut over to 26L final over New Westminster while CI and JL go out to Pitt Meadows (Canuck arrival) before turning to final. CI and JL even turned down the ATC offer for visual approach completed by AC and KL.