General Questions

Question 1

What is a STAR and a SID?

Answer 1

STAR - Standard Arrival Route
SID - Standard Instrument Departure

STARs and SIDs detail a specific final route or track onto a particular runway approach or a departure route from the runway to an enroute waypoint often with altitude and speed constraints at specific points along the track.

Both STAR’s and SIDs are used to reduce communication and workload between ATC and pilots.

SIDs and Stars should be always loaded into the flight plan and thoroughly briefed before execution

Question 2

What is the difference between a Holding and a Racetrack

Answer 2

Holding procedure is a predetermined manoeuvre that keeps an aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance.

Holding is not a part of the approach procedure.

Standard timing in the hold:
1 min below or at 14000ft
1.5 min above 14000ft

A Racetrack procedure can follow the same layout as a holding procedure but is used to reduce the aircraft altitude.

It can also be used as a course reversal procedure.

Racetrack is part of the approach procedure.

Question 3

What is a procedural turn?

Answer 3

Procedure turns are used to reverse a course when no suitable fixes permit a direct entry onto an instrument approach procedure

Two main types:
45/180
80/260

Question 4

How do you fly a 45/180 procedural turn?

Answer 4

Proceed to intercept the outbound track 
Fly for 1 - 3 mins or limited by fix
Turn 45 Degrees 
Fly for 1 minute 
Turn 180 degrees 
Intercept Inbound track

Question 5

What is a DME arc used for?

Answer 5

A DME arc is a procedure based on a navigational aid such as an NDB or VOR and is used to intercept a final approach track.

Two parameters need to be constant:
A constant DME reading from the Nav aid on which the arc is based.

Keep the navigation aid at a constant 90 degrees off the aircraft heading .

Question 6

What is the difference between a precision approach and a non precision approach?

Answer 6

For a precision approach you are provided with both horizontal and vertical guidance with minima determined by the category of aircraft.

For a non precision approach you are provided with horizontal guidance only, and you must use specified altitudes and distances as a cross check and adjust the ROD.

Question 7

Name some types of precision approaches

Answer 7

ILS - Instrument landing system
MLS - microwave landing system
GLS - Ground based landing system
PAR - Precision approach radar

Question 8

Name some types of non precision approaches

Answer 8

VOR
GPS/RNAV
LOC
NDB

Question 9

A pilot may not continue an approach below the cat 1 DA/DH unless one of the following visual references for the intended runway is distinctly visible to the pilot……

Answer 9

Elements of the approach lighting system 
Threshold
Theshold markings 
Threshold lights 
Threshold identification lights
Visual glide slope indicator 
Touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings 
Touchdown zone lights 
Runway edge lights

Question 10

What is the lowest possible decision height and RVR for instrument approaches? (CatI/II/III)

Answer 10

Cat I RVR 550 200FT
Cat II RVR 300 100ft
Cat IIIA 200m 100ft
Cat IIIB 75m less than 100ft

Question 11

What is the lowest possible DH for a localiser approach?

Answer 11

250ft

Question 12

What is the lowest possible DH for a VOR/DME approach?

Answer 12

250ft

Question 13

What is the lowest possible DH for a VOR approach?

Answer 13

300ft

Question 14

What is the lowest possible DH for a RNAV/LNAV approach?

Answer 14

300ft

Question 15

What is the lowest possible DH for a NDB/DME approach?

Answer 15

300ft

Question 16

What is the lowest possible DH for a NDB approach?

Answer 16

350ft