Additional Pilots Cafe

Question 1

What are the Lost Comm procedures? 91.185

Answer 1

Altitude to fly:
M.E.A –fly the highest among:
M – Minimum altitude prescribed for IFR
E – Expected (e.g. “expect 5000ft after 10 minutes”)
A – last altitude Assigned by ATC 

Route to Fly:
A.V.E.F – select route by the following order:
A –Assigned route, if none:
V –Vectored (fly to the fix/route/airway last vectored to), if none:
E –last Expected route by ATC, if none:
F – Filed route

Question 2

What do we do when the clearance limit is a fix from which an approach begins?

Answer 2

Start descent and approach as close as possible to the EFC, or ETA (if no EFC given)

Question 3

What if the clearance limit is NOT a fix from which an approach begins?

Answer 3

At EFC or clearance limit (if no EFC given), proceed to a fix from w

Question 4

Do not fly a procedure turn when:

Answer 4

S.H.A.R.P-T.T
S- Straight in approach.
H- Holding in lieu of a procedure turn.
A- Arc
R- Radar vectored to final app course.
P- NoPT depicted on chart.
T- Timed approach.
T- Teardrop course reversal.

Question 5

Instrument approach types:

Precision (lateral + vertical course guidance):

Answer 5

v ILS-Instrument Landing System
v MLS-Microwave Landing System
v PAR-Precision Approach Radar
v GLS-GNSS Landing System
v TLS- Transponder Landing System

Question 6

Instrument approach types:

Non-precision (lateral course guidance only):

Answer 6

v VOR
v NDB
v RNAV/GNSS (LNAV minimums)
v LOC
v LDA-Localizer-type Directional Aid. Identical to
a localizer but is not aligned with the runway.
v SDF-Simplified Directional Facility. width: 6° or
12°. May be either aligned or not with the runway.
v ASR-Approach Surveillance Radar

Question 7

What is APV and what are the different APV approaches?

Answer 7

APV (APproach with Vertical guidance). Has glide
slope but does not meet ICAO precision app.
standards:
v RNAV/GNSS (LNAV/VNAV, LPV, baro-VNAV
minimums)
v LDA with a glide slope

Question 8

When can you descend to next instrument approach

segment?

Answer 8

When cleared for the approach and established on a segment of a published approach or route.

Question 9

Standard rate turn angle of bank calculation

Answer 9

TAS / 10 + 5

Example: 120 KTAS120 KTAS / 10 + 5 = 17° of bank

Question 10

When can you descend below MDA/ DA? (§91.175)

Answer 10

All three conditions must be met:
1. The aircraft is continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the
intended runway can be made at a normal rate of descent using normal maneuvers.
2. The flight visibility (or the enhanced flight visibility, if equipped) is not less than the
visibility prescribed in the standard instrument approach being used.
3. At least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly
visible and identifiable to the pilot: (except for CAT II & III approaches)
a. The approach light system, except you may descend below 100 feet above the
touchdown zone only if the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also
visible and identifiable.
b. The threshold.
c. The threshold markings.
d. The threshold lights.
e. The runway end identifier lights.
f. The visual approach slope indicator.
g. The touchdown zone or its markings.
h. The touchdown zone lights.
i. The runway or runway markings.
j. The runway lights.

Question 11

Visual Descent point (VDP)

Answer 11

A defined point on the final approach course of a non precision straight in approach procedure from which normal descent from the MDA to the runway touchdown point may begin provided adequate visual reference is established.

If not equipped to identify the VDP, fly the approach as if no VDP was published.

When a VDP is not published you can use this formula to calculate it:

VDP (in NM from threshold) = HAT/300, or

10% of HAT = seconds to subtract from time to MAP

Question 12

Contact approach

Answer 12

o Must be specifically requested by the pilot.(It cannot be initiated by ATC)
o Requires at least 1SM reported ground visibility and the aircraft to remain clear of clouds.
o Available only at airports with approved instrument approach procedures.

Question 13

Visual approach

Answer 13

o Initiated by either ATC or the pilot.
o Requires at least 1000’ ceiling and 3SM visibility. (IFR under VMC)
o Pilot must have either the airport or the traffic to follow in sight.

Question 14

What is Baro Vnav?

Answer 14

System that uses baro altitude from altimeter to compute vertical guidance

Question 15

Weather minimums for controlled airspace C,D,E below 10,000 msl?

Answer 15

3- 152
3 miles visibility
1000 feet above
500 feet below
2000 feet horizontally

Question 16

Weather minimums for class B?

Answer 16

3 miles visibility clear of clouds

Question 17

Weather minimums for class E above 10,000 and class G above 10,000

Answer 17

5- 111
5 miles visibility
1000 feet above
1000 feet below
1 mile horizontally

Question 18

Weather minimums uncontrolled G airspace below 10,000

Answer 18

1- 152
1 mile visibility
1000 feet above
500 feet below
2000 feet horizontally

Question 19

Weather minimums uncontrolled G airspace below 1,200

Answer 19

1 mile visibility clear of clouds

Question 20

Weather minimums uncontrolled G airspace at night

Answer 20

3- 152
3 miles visibility
1000 feet above
500 feet below
2000 feet horizontally