Instrument Penetration (high altitude to instrument final approach)

Question 1

three types?

Answer 1

Teardrop (DME or non-DME)
Radial
Radial/Arc

Question 2

two variations of the three types?

Answer 2

dead reckoning courses

multiple facility approaches

Question 3

Non-DME teardrop GENERAL

Answer 3

• no penetration completion altitude? begin turn halfway between depicted IAF altitude and FAF altitude
• penetration completion altitude given? must be established on course before descending below (within one dot VOR or CDI movement LOC)
• pitch attitude of 8-10 NL
• 200 knots
• never begin penetration from altitude above the IAF altitude
• can begin penetration from below but must fly outbound 15 seconds for every 1000 ft below the IAF altitude

Question 4

GENERAL

Answer 4

• must overfly the IAF then intercept outbound penetration course
• begin descent when abeam or past the IAF AND on a parallel or intercept heading to the outbound course
• configure and slow to 110 knots PRIOR to the FAF
• Radar required? make sure it’s in service
• radial and radial/arc - heading with 90? NOT required to overfly IAF. use normal arc to radial lead points to roll out on published course
• to calculate pitch change needed to meet altitude restrictions on a radial penetration, divide altitude to lose by distance available in NM (chair fly this)

Question 5

Bad weather or other traffic at the airport? May have to enter holding while awaiting clearance. Guidelines:

Answer 5

• if the holding fix and IAF are the same, when you receive the approach clearance, you are expected to complete the current circuit then commence penetration
• if holding at the IAF above published IAF altitude, when you receive clearance, you are authorized to descend to the published IAF alt WHILE you complete the current circuit, then commence penetration
• holding fix and IAF not co-located (you’re enroute to holding fix when you receive approach clearance) you fly to the holding fix THEN proceed to the IAF and commence descent UNLESS you’re specifically cleared to proceed direct to the IAF

**EXCEPTION: if your route of flight results in you over-flying the IAF enroute to the holding fix, you can start penetration immediately upon reaching the IAF

Question 6

Enroute descent

Answer 6

can be done instead of flying high or low approach procedure

• could be descent to IAF for a published high or low alt approach
• not published
• you can request it
• # hundreds of ft altitude/# miles available = degrees pitch change

20% / 5 NL = 500 ft per NM. begin descent at distance that is 2x altitude + 5
10% / 10 NL = 1000 ft per NM. begin descent at altitude to lose + 5

^^gives you 5 NM to slow and configure