Arrival Flashcards
What is a STAR?
Standard Terminal Arrival Route
An ATC coded IFR arrival route established for use by arriving IFR AC destined for certain airports. Its purpose is to simplify clearance delivery procedures and facilities transition between enroute and IAPs. Reference the Terminal Procedures Publication for availability of STARs.
If ATC issues your flight a STAR, must you accept it?
You are not required to accept a STAR, but if yo do, you must be in possession of at least the approved chart. RNAV STARs must be retrievable by the procedure name from the AC database and conform to the charted procedure. Pilots should notify ATC if they do not wish to use a STAR by placing “No STAR” in the remarks section of the flight plan, or by the less desirable method of verbally stating the same to ATC.
What is an RNAV STAR?
STARs designated RNAV serve the same purpose as conventional STARs but are only used by AC equipped with FMS or GPS. An RNAV STAR or STAR transition typically includes flyby waypoints, with fly-over waypoints used only when operationally required. These waypoints may be assigned crossing altitudes and speeds to optimize the descent and deceleration profiles.
What does the notation “RNAV1” on an RNAV STAR indicate?
RNAV 1 terminal procedures require that the ACs track keeping accuracy remain bound by +1 NM for 95 percent of the total flight time. All pilots are excepted to maintain route centerlines , as depicted by onboard lateral deviation indicators and/or flight guidance during all RNAV operations unless authorized to deviate by ATC or under emergency conditions. All public RNAV STARs are RNAV 1.
What does the clearance “descend via” authorize you to do when navigating on a STAR or RNAV STAR procedure?
Authorizes pilot to:
A. Descend at pilot’s discretion to meet published restrictions and laterally navigate on a STAR
B. When cleared to a waypoint depicted on a STAR, to descend from a previously assigned altitude at a
pilot’s discretion to the altitude depicted at the waypoint.
C. Once established on the depicted arrival, to descend and to meet all published or assigned altitude
and/or speed restrictions
What is a terminal arrival area?
A published or assigned track by which AC are transitioned from the en route structure to the terminal area. A terminal arrival area consists of a designated volume of airspace designed to allow AC to enter a protected area with obstacle clearance and signal reception guaranteed where the initial approach course is intercepted
How can a pilot determine which area of a TAA the AC will enter?
By selecting the IF/IAF to determine the magnetic bearing TO the center IF/IAF. That bearing should then be compared with the published bearings that define the lateral boundaries of the TAA areas.
Will all RNAV (GPS) approaches have a TAA?
No
The TAA will not be found on all RNAV procedures, particularly in areas of heavy concentration of air traffic. When the TAA is published, it replaces the MSA for that approach procedure.
How are fly-over and fly-by waypoints used in a GPS approach procedure?
A. Fly-by waypoints: Used when an AC should begin a turn to the next course prior to reaching the waypoint separating the two route segments. This is known as turn anticipation and is compensated for in the airspace and terrain clearances. Approach waypoints, except for the MAWP and the missed approach holding waypoint, are normally fly-by waypoints.
B. Fly-over waypoints: used when the AC must fly over the point prior to starting a turn. New approach charts depict fly-over waypoints as a circled waypoint symbol. Overlay approach charts and some early stand-alone GPS approach charts may not reflect this convention
When being radar-vectored for an approach, at what point may you start a descent form your last assigned altitude to a lower altitude if “cleared for the approach”?
Upon receipt of an approach clearance while an unpublished route or being radar vectored, a pilot will comply with the minimum altitude for IFR and maintain the last assigned altitude until established on a segment of the published route or IAP, at which time published altitudes apply.
Define the therm “Initial Approach Segment”
That segment between the initial approach fix and the intermediate fix, or the point where the AC is established on the intermediate course or final approach course.
Define the term “intermediate approach segment”
Between the intermediate fix or point and the final approach fix
Define the term “Final approach segment”
The segment between the final approach fix or point and the RWY, airport, or missed approach point.
Define the term “Missed approach segment”
The segment between the missed approach point or the point of arrival at DH and the missed approach fix at the prescribed altitude
What are the standard IFR separation minimums?
When radar is employed in the separation of AC at the same altitude, a minimum of 3 miles separation is provided between AC operating within 40 miles of the radar antenna site, and 5 miles between AC operating beyond 40 miles from the antenna site. These minima may be increased or decreased in certain specific situations.
What is the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA)?
MVA is the lowest MSL at which an IFR AC will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures, and missed approaches. The altitude meets IFR obstacle clearance criteria. It may be lower than the published MEA along an airway or J-route segment. It may be used for radar vectoring only upon the controller’s determination that an adequate radar return is being received from the AC being controlled. Charts depicting minimum vectoring altitudes are normally available only to the controllers ad not to the pilots.
Your approach chart indicated a MSA circle in the plan view. What is an MSA and when would you use it?
A minimum safe altitude circle depicts altitudes on approach charts that provide at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance within a 25 NM radius of the navigation facility, waypoint, or airport reference point upon which the MSA is predicated.
MSA’s are for emergency use only and do not assure acceptable navigational signal coverage. For RNAV approaches, the MSA is based on either the RWY waypoint, the MAWP for straight in approaches, or the airport waypoint for circling approaches.
What are feeder routes?
A route depicted on IAP charts to designate courses for AC to proceed from the enroute structure to the IAF. When a feeder route is designated, the chart provides the course, or bearing to be flown, the distance, and the minimum altitude. Enroute airway obstacle clearance criteria apply to feeder routes, providing 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance (2,000 feet in mountainous areas)
Is the ATC clearance “cleared for the visual,” a VFR clearance or an IFR clearance? What requirements must be met in order to accept such a clearance?
A visual approach is conducted on an IFR flight plan and authorizes a pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. The pilot must have either the airport or the preceding identified AC in sight. This approach must be authorized and controlled by the appropriate ATC facility. Reported weather at the airport must have a ceiling at or above 1,000 feet and visibility 3 miles or greater.
Visual approaches are an IFR procedure conducted under IFR in VMC. Cloud clearance requirement of 14 CFR 91.155 are not applicable.
Describe the term “contact approach”
An approach in which an AC on an IFR flight lan, having an ATC authorization, operating clear of clouds with at least 1 mile flight visibility and a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination airport in these conditions, may deviate from the IAP and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface. This approach will only be authorized when requested and reported ground visibility is at least 1 SM.
When is a procedure turn not required?
SHARPTT
Straight in approach
Holding pattern replaces the procedure turn, the holding pattern must be followed
Arc
Radar vectored to final approach course
Procedure turn barb is absent in the plan view or “NoPT” is depicted on the initial segment being used
Timed approach
Teardrop is depicted and course reversal required
What are standard procedure turn limitations?
A. Turn on the depicted side
B. Adhere to depicted minimum altitudes
C. Complete the maneuver within the distance specified in the profile view
D. Maneuver at maximum speed not greater than 200 knots (IAS)
What procedure is followed when a holding pattern is specified in lieu of a procedure turn?
May be specified for a course reversal in some procedures: the holding pattern is established over an intermediate fix or final approach fix. The holding pattern distance or time specified in the profile view must be observed. Maximum holding airspeed limitations apply, as set forth for all holding patterns. The holding pattern maneuver is completed when the AC is established on the inbound course after executing the appropriate entry. If cleared for the approach prior to returning to the holding fix, and the AC is at the prescribed altitude, additional circuits of the holding pattern are not necessary nor expected by ATC. If pilots elect to make additional circuits to lose altitude or to become better established on course, it is their responsibility to so advise ATC upon receipt of their approach clearance.
What is a precision approach?
An instrument approach that is based on a navigation system that provides course and glidepath deviation info meeting precision standards of ICAO Annex 10.
PAR, ILS, and GLS are precision approaches.
What are the basic components of a standard ILS?
A. Guidance information: localizer, glideslope
B. Range information: marker beacons, DME
C. Visual information: approach lights, touchdown and centerline lights, RWY lights
Describe both visual and aural indications that a pilot would receive when crossing the outer, middle, and inner markers of a standard ILS
A. Outer Marker: - Blue light - Dull tone - Slow speed - - - - - - - B. Middle Marker - Amber light - Medium tone - Medium speed - - . - . - . - . C. Inner Marker - White light - High tone - High speed - . . . . . . . .
What are the distances from the landing threshold of the outer, middle, and inner markers?
A. Outer marker: 4 to 7 miles from the threshold
B. Middle marker: 3,500 feet from the threshold
C. Inner Marker: Between middle marker and threshold
When is the inner marker used?
Ordinarily, there are two marker beacons associated with an ILS, the OM and MM. Locations with a Cat. II ILS also have an IM
While flying a 3 degree glideslope, which conditions should the pilot expect concerning airspeed, pitch attitude and altitude when encountering a wind shear situation where a tailwind shears to a calm or headwind?
Pitch Attitude: Increase
Required Thrust: Reduced, then increased
Vertical Speed: Decreases, then increases
Airspeed: Increases, then decreases
Reaction: Reduce power initially, then increase
While flying a 3 degree glideslope, which conditions should the pilot expect concerning airspeed, pitch attitude and altitude when encountering a wind shear situation where a headwind shears to a calm or tailwind?
Pitch Attitude: Decreases Required Thrust: Increased, then reduced Vertical Speed: Increases Airspeed: Decreases, then increases Reaction: Increased power, then a decrease in power
Where is the localizer/transmitter antenna installation located in relation to the RWY?
The antenna is located at the far end of the approach runway
Where is the glideslope antenna located and what is its normal usable range?
Between 750 feet and 1,250 feet from the approach end of the runway (down the runway), and offset 250 feet to 650 feet from it. The glideslope is normally usable to a distance of 10 NM.
What range does a standard localizer have?
The localizer signal provides course guidance throughout the descent path to the RWY threshold from a distance of 18 NM from the antenna site.
What is the angular width of a localizer signal?
Adjusted to provide an angular width of between 3 to 6 degrees, as necessary to provide a linear width of 700 feet at the runway approach threshold.
What is the normal glideslope angle for a standard ILS?
Glideslope projection angle is normally 3 degrees above horizontal so that it intersects the MM at about 200 feet and the OM at about 1,400 feet above the RWY elevation.
What is the sensitivity of a CDI tuned to a localizer signal compared with a CDI tuned to a VOR?
Full left or full right defection occurs at approximately 2.5 degrees from the centerline of a localizer course, which is 4 times greater than when tuned to a VOR, where full scale deflection equals 10 degrees from the centerline.
Define the term “Decision Altitude”
A specified altitude on an IAP at which point the pilot must decide whether to continue an approach or initiate an immediate missed approach if the pilot does not see the required visual references.
When flying an IAP, when can the pilot descend below MDA or DA/DH?
A. The AC is continuously flying a stabilized approach (normal descent rate and using normal
maneuvers)
B. The flight visibility is not less than the visibility prescribed in the SIAP being used
C. When at least one of the following visual references for the intended RWY is distinctly visible and identifiable:
- Approach Light System 1. May not descend below 100 feet above TDZ elevation unless red terminating bars or red side row bars are also distinctly visible - Threshold - Threshold markings - Threshold lights - REILs - VASI - TDZ or TDZ markings - TDZ lights - RWY or RWY markings - RWY lights
What are the legal substitutions for an INOP outer marker?
- Compass locator
- Precision Approach Radar (PAR) or airport surveillance radar (ADR)
- DME, VOR, or NDB fixes authorized in the SIAP
- Suitable RNAV system in conjunction with a fix identified in the SIAP
What are PAR and ASR approaches?
A. PAR: Type of radar approach in which a controller provides highly accurate nav guidance in
azimuth and elevation to the pilot (precision)
B. ASR: Type of radar approach in which a controller provides navigational guidance in azimuth only
(non-precision)
What is a “no-gyro” approach?
A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or DG. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the controller observes the radar track and issues control instructions “Turn right/left” or “stop turn” as appropriate
What rate of turn is recommended during execution of a “no-gyro” approach procedure?
All turns should be standard rate until on final. Then one-half standard rate on final approach.
Are the minimums for an ASR approach expressed as DA or MDA?
MDA
Guidance in elevation is not possible but the pilot will be advised when to commence descent to the minimum descent altitude or, if appropriate, to an intermediate step-down fix minimum crossing altitude and subsequently to the prescribed MDA.
What is the definition of TDZE?
Touch Down Zone Elevation
The highest elevation in the first 3,000 feet of the landing surface. TDZE is indicated on the IAP chart when straight-in landing minimums are authorized.
What is the definition of “non-precision approach”?
An instrument approach based on a nav system that provides course deviation info but no glidepath info.
Examples: VOR, NDB and LNAV
Name the types of non-precision approach procedures available
LNAV VOR TACAN NDB LOC ASR LDA SDF
Define MDA
Minimum descent altitude
Lowest altitude, expressed in feet above MSL, to which descent is authorized on final approach or during circle-to-land maneuvering, in execution of a SIAP where no electronic glideslope is provided
What is the definition of a “stabilized approach”?
Airplane must be stabilized by 1,000 feet above the airport elevation in IMC and by 500 feet above airport elevation during straight-in approaches in VMC. The FAA considers an approach to touchdown stabilized when the airplane meets all of the following:
A. Glidepath: On correct flight path, normally 3 degrees to the RWY TDZ, obstructions permitting B. Heading: Tracking extended centerline to RWY with only minor heading/pitch changes to correct for wind, turbulence, and maintain alignment. Bank angle should not exceed 15 degrees on final C. Airspeed: Maintains constant airspeed within +10/-5 KIAS of the recommended landing speed D. Configuration: In correct landing configuration E. Rate of Descent: Is constant and no greater than 500 fpm; if a descent greater than 500 fpm is required due to approach considerations, it must be reduced prior to 300 feet AGL and well before the landing flare and touchdown phase. F. Power Setting: Is appropriate for the airplane configuration and not below the minimum power for approach G. Checklists/briefing: all briefings and checklists completed prior to initiating the approach
Define “VDP”
Visual Descent Point
Defined point on the final approach course of a non-precision straight-in approach procedure from which a normal descent from the MDA to the RWY touchdown point may be commenced, provided the approach threshold of that RWY or approach lights or other markings identifiable with the approach end of that RWY, are clearly visible to the pilot.
Pilots not equipped to receive the VDP should fly the approach procedure as though no VDP has been provided. On an approach chart, a VDP is identified in the profile view by a “V”.
While flying the final segment of a non-precision approach with a VDP, a pilot breaks out of the clouds prior to the VDP and has the required visibility and necessary visual references available to begin the descent. Does the pilot have to wait until the VDP is reached before descending below the MDA?
The pilot should not descend below the MDA prior to reaching the VDP and acquiring the necessary visual references.
If no VDP is provided on an IAP, how can you compute your own VDP?
HAT/300 - VDP (in NM from threshold); or
10% of HAT = seconds to subtract from the time to MAP
What is a VDA?
Vertical Descent Angle
Found on non-precision approach charts provides the pilot with info required to establish a stabilized approach descent from the FAF or stepdown fix to the TCH. Pilots can use the published angle and estimated or actual ground speed to find a target rate of descent using the rate of decent in the back of the TPP.
Explain how you will use the published VDA on a non-precision approach chart to fly a stabilized descent to the MDA?
A. Determine the published vertical descent angle on the approach chart
Ex. 3.1 degrees
B. Determine your established or actual ground speed
Ex. 90 knots
C. Locate the rate of climb/descent table
D. The table indicates that a VDA of 3.1 degrees equates to a descent rate of 329 ft/NM
E. 329 ft/NM converts to a descent rate of 494 fpm at 90 knots groundspeed
To fly the VDA, at the FAF or step down fix, descend at the required descent rate and maintain your airspeed/groundspeed
what does the VDA guarantee on obstacle protection below the MDA?
Does not guarantee obstacle protection below the MDA in the visual segment. The presence of VDA does not change any non-precision approach requirements. Pilots must be aware tht the published VDA is for advisory info only and not to be considered instrument procedure derived vertical guidance. The VDA solely offers an aid to help pilots establish a continuous, stabilized decent during final approach.
Will SIAPs always have a FAF?
No,
When a FAF is not designated, such as on an approach that incorporates an on-airport VOR or NDB, a final approach point is designated and is typically here the procedure turn intersects the final approach course inbound.
If no FAF is published, where does the final approach segment begin on a non-precision approach?
Begins where the procedure turn intersects the final approach course inbound
Certain conditions are required for an IAP to have “straight-in” minimums published. What are they?
Straight in minimums are shown on the IAP when the final approach course is within 30 degrees of the runway alignment (15 degrees for GPS IAPs) and a normal descent can be made from the IFR altitude shown on the IAP to the runway surface
What is a step down fix?
Permits additional descent within a segment of an IAP by identifying a point at which a controlling obstacle has been safely overflown.
What are the MSAs for this approach?
A. 180 - 270 degrees: 2,200 feet
B. 270 - 360 degrees: 3,600 feet
C. 360 - 180 degrees: 2,800 feet
On which facility is the MSA centered, and what does it provide?
Centered on the Mufin LOM
The altitude shown provides at least 1,000 feet of clearance above the highest obstacle in that sector up to a distance of 25NM from the facility.
Nav course guidance not assured at the MSA.
What is the IAF for this procedure?
Mufin LOM
What significance does the bold arrow extending from Bowie VOR have?
Represents a feeder route or flyable route utilized when transitioning from the en route structure to the IAF.
When intercepting the localizer from procedure turn inbound, what will be the relative bearing on the ADF indicator as the localizer needle beings to center?
Assuming a 45 degree intercept angle, the relative bearing will be 315 degrees
What are the frequencies for the locator outer marker and middle marker beacons?
The locator frequency is 365 kHz
All marker beacons transmit on 75 MHz
Explain the difference between a “Note” such as RADAR REQUIRED or DME REQUIRED being charted in the plan view of an IAP, and a note being charted in the “Notes” box of the pilot briefing portion of the approach chart
When radar or other equipment is required for procedure entry from the en route environment, a note will be charted in the plan view of the IAP chart.
When radar or other equipment is required on portions of the procedure outside the final approach segment, including the missed approach, a note will be charted in the notes box of the pilot briefing portion of the approach chart.
Notes are not charted when VOR is required outside the final approach segment. Pilots should ensure that the AC is equipped to receive the required NAVAIDs in order to execute the approach, including the missed approach.
Where does the final approach segment begin for the ILS 16 approach?
On all precision approaches, the final approach segment begins when the glide slope is intercepted at glide slope altitude.
For non-precision approaches, such as the straight-in LOC 16 approach, it begins at the Maltese cross (Mufin LOM).
Within what distance from the Mufin LOM must the procedure turn be executed?
Within 10 NM
