FAR AIM Flashcards
What are three advantages of RNAV routes and procedures?
1) time and fuel savings
2) reduced dependence on radar vectoring, altitude, and speed assignments allowing a reduction in required ATC radio transmissions; and
3) more efficient use of airspace.
What is RNAV?
A method of navigation that permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of ground or spaced based navigation aids or within the limits of the capability of self contained aids, or a combination of these.
What is a fly-by waypoint and what does it look like?
What is a fly-over waypoint and what does it look like?
Fly-by waypoints are used when an aircraft should begin a turn to the next course prior to reaching the waypoint separating the two route segments. This is known as turn anticipation. It depicted as a four-point star with a hole in the middle.
Fly-over waypoints are used when the aircraft must fly over the waypoint prior to starting the turn. It is depicted as a four-point star with a hole in the middle and a circle around it.
What is VDP?
The Visual Descent Point (VDP) is a defined point on a straight-in, non-precision approach from which you can descend below the MDA, as long as you have the required visual reference. If a VDP is available, it will be indicated by a “v” on the profile view portion of the instrument approach procedure chart. Do not descend below MDA before reaching the VDP.
When you are on an instrument approach, the regulations (14 CFR 91.175(c)(3)) state that you may descend below MDA or DH only if:
The aircraft is continuously in a position allowing for normal rate of descent to a landing on the intended runway;
The flight visibility is at or above the visibility required to complete the approach; and
At least one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible and identifiable to the pilot:
The approach light system, except that you may not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation using the approach lights as a reference unless the red terminating bars or the red side row bars are also distinctly visible and identifiable
The threshold.
The threshold markings;
The threshold lights;
The runway end identifier lights;
The visual approach slope indicator;
The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings;
The runway or runway markings;
The runway lights.
The Aeronautical Information Manual) (AIM) defines minimum descent altitude, or MDA, as
“the lowest altitude, expressed in feet above mean sea level (MSL), to which descent is authorized on final approach, or during circle-to-land maneuvering, in execution of a standard instrument approach procedure (SIAP) where no electronic glideslope is provided.”
The AIM defines decision height, or DH, as
“height at which a decision must be made during an instrument landing system (ILS), microwave landing system (MLS), or precision approach radar (PAR) instrument approach to either continue the approach or to execute a missed approach.”
Can you descend below the minimum descent altitude before reaching the VDP?
In their Descent to MDA or DH and Beyond publication, however, while describing when to descend, the FAA specifically states, “Do not descend below MDA before reaching the VDP.”
