Chapter 15 - Approach Flashcards
What are the two ways to fly an instrument approach?
Full Procedure or via Radar Vectors
When are you allowed to descend below MDA or DA?
When sufficient visual reference with the runway environment has been established and the aircraft is in a position to execute a safe landing
When are you allowed to descend below 100 ft above the threshold elevation or touchdown zone elevation when using the approach lights as a reference?
The red termination bars or red side row bars are visible and identifiable
When operating with a speed restriction and you recieve clearance to fly an approach, when are you allowed to adjust your speed?
Approach clearances cancel any previously assigned airspeed adjustments. You are expected to make our own airspeed adjustments to complete the approach unless the adjustments are restated.
Where should speed adjustments not be assigned?
Inside the FAF or a point 5 miles from the runway, whichever is close to the runway
As a pilot, are you allowed to deny a speed adjustment? If so, why?
Yes, if the minimum safe airspeed for any operation is greater than the speed adjustment
What is the range of speeds for the initial approach segment for a Cat B aircraft?
120 to 180
What is the range of speeds for the final approach segment for a Cat B aircraft?
85 to 130
What is the max speed for a reversal/racetrack procedure for a Cat B aircraft? ICAO
140
Where do you find information regarding radar approaches?
front of the Terminal Procedures Pub
What is a non-radar approach?
An approach that does not require radar vectoring or radar services on final approach and may or may not provide vertical glideslope guidance
On the plan view of an approach, when are concentric rings used?
When all procedural and terminal route information cannot be depicted to scale
What distance ring is shown when necessary? What does the ring signify?
10NM on low altitude approaches and a 20NM ring on high altitude approaches.
Everything within the ring is shown to scale
What type of obstacle clearance does the ESA provide?
1000 ft obstacle clearance, 2000 ft obstacle clearance in mountainous areas, within 100 nm of the facility
What type of obstacle clearance does the Minimum Sector Altitude provide?
1000 ft obstacle clearance within 25 NM
Does an approach without a FAF still have a VDA?
No
What is TCH?
Threshold Crossing Height, it is the point where the VDA crosses above the threshold
What is a typical TCH?
Between 30 and 50 ft unless required by larger type aircraft
Are all obstructions depicted on the airfield diagram?
No, check NOTAMS, enroute supplement, etc
What is field elevation?
The highest point on any usable landing surface
What is touchdown zone elevation?
The highest point in the first 3000ft of the landing surface
How many degrees off runway centerline can an approach be and still be considered a straight in approach?
30 degrees
When a fix has the word RADAR depicted with it, what does it mean?
ATC radar usage identifies the fix
What type of an approach is an LNAV and what does the line of minima distinguish?
It is a non-precision approach and the line of minima is published as an MDA
What are the 5 segments of an instrument approach procedure?
- Arrival
- Initial
- Intermediate
- Final
- Missed Approach
A dead reckoning track intersects the localizer at _____ and is not more than ______ in length
45 degrees ; 10 NM
What are the 4 definitions of being established on a track?
- Within half full-scale deflection
- Within +/- 5 degrees of the required bearing for an NDB
- Within full scale deflection for LOC
- Within 1x the required accuracy for RNAV or RNP segments flown
What is a shuttle in a holding pattern?
A climb or descent conducted in a holding pattern
What is the maximum climb in holding airspeed, unless a maximum airspeed is published?
310 KIAS
When are you allowed to descend form a procedure turn fix altitude?
Until crossing over or outbound abeam the procedure turn fix
When can you descend from the procedure turn altitude?
When you are established on the inbound segment of the approach
What airspeeds should a procedure turn be flown at?
200 KIAS or less
When can you begin descent to the procedure turn altitude immediately upon crossing over the procedure turn fix, regardless of direction of flight?
When there is an absence of a chart note or specified minimum altitude adjacent to the procedure turn fix
For a Cat B aircraft flying a 45/180 procedure turn, how long do you time on the 45 degree turn leg and when do you start timing?
1 minute, when you initiate the 45 degree turn
If electing to fly a racetrack (holding pattern) for a procedure turn and you use a teardrop entry, what must you limit your time to?
1min 30 sec
If you are flying a racetrack entry for a procedure turn and elect to use a parallel entry, are you allowed to turn direct to the facility after flying the parallel entry?
No, you must intercept the inbound track
When the procedure turn fix is based on a facility, when does timing begin?
When abeam the facility or on attaining the outbound heading, whichever occurs last
When the procedure turn fix is based on a fix, when does timing begin?
When attaining the outbound heading
For what conditions are step-down fixes applicable?
Only when flying a non-precision approach to a straight-in or circling line of minima identified as an MDA
If you are flying a precision approach and there are step down fixes outside the final approach segment, do you have to adhere to them?
Yes, you must adhere to stepdown fixes when outside a final approach. If you are inside the final approach and flying a precision approach, the step down fixes do not apply to you
When passing the station on a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach, what direction do you turn toward the outbound course?
You turn in the shortest direction to the outbound course and attempt to intercept it
When are you allowed to descend from the IAF altitude on a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach?
When established on a parallel or intercept heading to the approach course and outbound from the IAF
What is the required descent gradient for a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach?
800-1000 feet per nautical mile
What should you do if you arrive at the IAF of a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach below the published altitude?
Proceed outbound 15 seconds for each 1,000 ft the aircraft is below the published altitude before starting the descent
At what altitude do you turn if a penetration turn altitude is not published for a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach?
An altitude that is 1/2 the total altitude between the IAF and FAF altitudes
When can you descend below a published penetration turn completion altitude on a Non-DME Teardrop High Altitude Approach?
When established on the inbound course
What type of an approach is a visual approach?
It is an IFR procedure conducted under IFR in VMC
Does clearance for a visual approach authorize the pilot to do an overhead VFR pattern?
No
If you are instructed by ATC to follow another aircraft for a visual approach and you have the aircraft insight and accept the clearance, who retains responsibility for aircraft separation and wake separation?
The pilot
Does a visual approach have a missed approach segment?
No
In order to be approved for a visual approach, what two things must the pilot have done?
- Have either the airfield or the preceding aircraft in sight
- Approach must be authorized and controlled by the appropriate ATC facility
The reported weather at the airfield must be what in order to be cleared for a Visual Approach?
A ceiling at or above 1000ft and visibility of 3 miles or greater
What must you do if you want to execute an overhead pattern?
Cancel your IFR flight plan. The overhead maneuver is a VFR maneuver
