AV13: ATC Support Flashcards
Instrument Approach Procedure
A series of predetermined manoeuvres by reference to flight instruments with specified protection from obstacles (from the initial approach fix, or where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route to a point from which a landing can be completed and thereafter, if a landing is not completed, to a position at which holding or en route obstacle clearance criteria apply.)
MEA
Minimum En route Altitude
Instrument Approach
A series of predetermined manoeuvres for the orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the inital approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing can be made visually.
DH
Decision height: The height at which a crew doing a precision approach must decide whether to land or to conduct a missed approach. This decision must be based on whether or not the crew has visual reference to the ground.
MDA
Minimum Descent Altitude: The minimum altitude ASL a crew can descend to during a non precision approach. If the crew can not gain visual reference to the ground, they must conduct a missed approach.
Why is it important that a missed approach be initiated by a specific point?
If it is initiated beyond the MAP (missed approach point), obstacle clearance can not be assured.
What are the items that the pilot must see at least one of to have visual reference to the ground?
- RWY or RWY markings
- RWY threshold or threshold markings
- the TDZ or TDZ markings
- the approach lights
- the approach slope indicator
- RWY identification lights
- threshold and RWY end lights
- TDZ lights
- RWY edge lights
- RWY centreline lights
What are the four segments of an approach?
- Initial approach
- Intermediate approach
- Final approach
- Missed approach
Initial approach segment
The part of an instrument approach procedure between the initial approach fix or waypoint or the intermediate approach fix or waypoint during which the aircraft departs the en route phase of flight and manoeuvres to enter the intermediate segment.
Intermediate approach segment
The segment of an instrument approach between the intermediate fix or point and the final approach fix or point, wherein aircraft configuration, speed and positioning adjustments are made in preparation for the final approach.
Procedure turn
A manoeuvre in which a turn is made away from a designated track and followed by a turn in the opposite direction to permit the aircraft to intercept and proceed along the reciprocal of the designated track. Designated left (preferably) or right.
Which segment includes the procedure turn?
The intermediate segment.
Final Approach Segment
The part of an instrument approach procedure from the time that the aircraft
-completes the last procedure turn or base turn OR
-crosses the final approach fix or waypoint OR
-intercepts the last track specified for the procedure
until it reaches the missed approach point. The part in which alignment and descent for landing are accomplished.
Missed approach procedure
The procedure that is to be followed after and instrument approach procedure if, for any reason, a lading is not effected and that occurs normally. This occurs when the AC has descended to the DH or MDA and has not established the visual reference to the runway or when ATC directs the AC to pull up or go around.
Missed approach track
Generally a continuation of the final approach course. Upon reaching a specified altitude or distance on that track, the procedure states a point to which the AC must return.
What are the two types of instrument approaches?
Precision and non-precision.
What is a precision approach?
An instrument approach procedure using GP and azimuth information provided from an ILS. Provide both lateral and horizontal guidance.
What is a non-precision approach?
An instrument approach procedure in which only electronic azimuth information is provided. Only lateral guidance. Used to guide the AC down to the overall airport environment.
What are the two types of precision approaches that use a glide slope?
ILS and PAR (precision approach radar
What is PAR?
Precision Approach Radar: A type of precision approach consisting of a high definition, short-range radar that provides the controller with altitude, azimuth, and range information of high accuracy. Not published in the CAP as they are provided at aerodromes with military PAR units.
ILS Cat II
An approach that can be made in as low as 100ft DH with an RVR of 1200ft
ILS Cat III
An approach that can be made in lower than 100ft DH with an RVR of 600ft
What types of approaches do non-precision approaches usually consist of?
- Localizer
- Backcourse
- VOR
- NDB
- GPS
- Circling
GPS overlay approach
An approach based on existing approaches in the CAP which use navaids (VOR/DME, NDB) but can be flown using GPS guidance by selecting the appropriate approach procedure from the airborne navigation database. Pilots may also use an overlay approach when the underlying approach navaid is temporarily U/S.
GPS Standalone approach
Often provided for runways that currently have no approach, runways served by circling approaches or runways that have straight in approaches where a GPS will provide an operational advantage. GPS will be in the procedure name on the plate.
What is a risk associated with using GPS?
Two aircraft are more likely to be flying the exact same track because of the accuracy of GPS. This could be a factor in mid-air collision.
What happens when pilots are alerted to a potential conflict?
They are 7 times more likely to spot the conflicting AC than if they are unaware of its presence.
What is a straight in approach for VFR?
When the AC enters the aerodrome traffic circuit on the final leg without having executed any other part of the circuit.
What is a straight in approach for IFR?
When the AC begins the final approach without first having executed a procedure turn.
What is the main reason that straight in approaches are designed?
To improve fuel economy.
List the ten types of instrument approaches.
- ILS
- VOR
- NDB
- GPS
- Straight in
- Visual
- Contact
- TACAN
- Restricted Instrument Procedure (RIP)
- Simulated approach
What is a contact approach?
When an AC on an IFR flight plan, having an ATC authorization and operating clear of clouds with at least 1 mile flight visibility and a reasonable expectation of continuing to the destination in those conditions, may deviate from IAP and proceed to the destination by visual reference to the surface of the earth.
What are the conditions of a contact approach?
- Must be clear of cloud
- 1 mile flight visibility
- Reasonable expectation that the above conditions will continue
- Visual reference to the earth
- That there is an approved, functioning IAP or GPS approach to the airport
- ATC authorizes
Visual approach
When AC on an IFR flight plan operating in VMC under the control of ATC and having ATC authorization may proceed to the destination while the pilot maintains separation from traffic.
Simulated approach
An instrument approach procedure conducted in VMC by an aircraft not on an IFR clearance.
RIP
Restricted Instrument Procedure: An instrument approach, departure, or transition procedure that is not authorized for public use, but that has been approved by TC for restricted use by one or more operators an by the military provided that operational requirements are met. Also known as Company procedures.
Radar arrivals
ATC provides radar vectors to AC at larger airports. They are given specific, turns, speed, and altitude assignments that guide the pilot to a position where they can intercept final approach. This will occur no less than 2NM from their final descent and at an angle no greater than 30 degrees to final.
Circling procedure
A manoeuvre initiated by the pilot to align the AC with a runway for landing when a straight in approach is not possible or desirable.
- ATC authorization must be obtained
- Runway must be kept in sight
- Must maintain MDA until landing is assured.
What are the requirements for an IFR AC reporting intentions at an uncontrolled aerodrome?
- 5 minutes before estimated time of commencing the approach procedure
- When commencing a circling manoeuvre
- As soon as practicable after initiating a missed approach procedure.