RNAV (GPS) Approaches

Question 1

What does LNAV indicate on RNAV (GPS) approach charts?

Answer 1

LNAV stands for Lateral Navigation only; it is a non-precision approach requiring TSO-C129 (non WAAS) or C145/C146 (WAAS) equipment. Minimums are shown as MDA.

Question 2

What does LP indicate on RNAV (GPS) approach charts?

Answer 2

LP stands for Localizer Performance; it is a non-precision approach requiring TSO C145/C146 (WAAS) equipment. Minimums are shown as MDA.

Question 3

What does LNAV/VNAV indicate on RNAV (GPS) approach charts?

Answer 3

LNAV/VNAV stands for Lateral Navigation/Vertical Navigation; it is an APV approach requiring approach approved Baro-VNAV or TSO-C145/C146 (WAAS) equipment. Minimums are shown as DA.

Question 4

What does LPV indicate on RNAV (GPS) approach charts?

Answer 4

LPV stands for Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance; it is an APV approach requiring TSO-C145/C146 (WAAS) equipment. Minimums are shown as DA.

Question 5

What does GLS indicate on RNAV (GPS) approach charts?

Answer 5

GLS stands for GBAS Landing System; it provides lateral and vertical guidance and requires an aircraft GBAS receiver. It is a relatively new category of approach.

Question 6

What are APV approaches?

APV approaches are instrument approaches based on a navigation system that provides ____________ and ____________ deviation information but does not meet precision approach standards.

Examples include Baro-VNAV, LDA with glidepath, LNAV/VNAV, and LPV approaches.

Answer 6

APV approaches are instrument approaches based on a navigation system that provides course and glidepath deviation information but does not meet precision approach standards. Examples include Baro-VNAV, LDA with glidepath, LNAV/VNAV, and LPV approaches.

Question 7

What does a letter suffix in an approach title indicate?

Answer 7

A letter suffix indicates that two or more straight-in approaches with the same type of guidance exist for a runway, allowing for easier identification.

Question 8

What is the difference between RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 13C and RNAV (RNP) Y RWY 13C?

Answer 8

The approach labeled Z will have lower landing minimums than Y. They can differ significantly in procedures, minimums, and missed approaches.

Question 9

What is an LPV approach?

An LPV approach is a type of approach with ____________ guidance that uses ____________ for high accuracy guidance, allowing for decision altitudes as low as ____________ feet.

Answer 9

An LPV approach is a type of approach with vertical guidance that uses WAAS for high accuracy guidance, allowing for decision altitudes as low as 200 feet.

Question 10

How can you determine if your aircraft can fly an LPV approach?

Answer 10

Check the FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (AFM) and supplements, which state the level of approach procedure supported by the GPS/WAAS receiver.

Question 11

What does LP mean in the minimums section of an RNAV (GPS) approach chart?

LP stands for ____________ ____________ , indicating improved accuracy using ____________ for lateral and angular guidance. LP minimums are ____________ ____________ ____________ .

Answer 11

LP stands for Localizer Performance, indicating improved accuracy using WAAS for lateral and angular guidance. LP minimums are minimum descent altitudes (MDAs).

Question 12

How does a GPS receiver select the appropriate minimums for an approach?

Answer 12

The receiver notifies the pilot of the most accurate level of service supported by the WAAS signal, receiver, and selected approach.

Question 13

What is the significance of temperature limitations on an approach chart?

Temperature limitations indicate the ____________ temperature range for ____________-____________ operation; outside this range, LNAV/VNAV minimums are not authorized.

Answer 13

Temperature limitations indicate the airport temperature range for Baro-VNAV operation; outside this range, LNAV/VNAV minimums are not authorized.

Question 14

What is the WAAS Channel Number/Approach ID used for?

Answer 14

It is an optional equipment capability that allows the selection of a specific final approach segment without using the menu method.

Question 15

What could cause a GPS receiver to fail to sequence from ‘Armed’ to ‘Approach’ mode?

Answer 15

Possible reasons include satellite anomalies, failure to arm the receiver, or other issues preventing approach completion.

Question 16

What should a pilot do if a RAIM failure occurs before the FAWP?

Answer 16

The pilot should not descend to MDA, proceed to the missed approach waypoint, perform a missed approach, and contact ATC as soon as practical.

Question 17

What should a pilot do if a RAIM flag/status appears after passing the FAWP?

Answer 17

The pilot should initiate a climb and execute the missed approach, as navigation information should be considered advisory only.

Question 18

What does a gray shaded line from the MDA to the runway indicate?

Answer 18

It indicates that the visual segment below the MDA is clear of obstructions on the 34:1 slope.

Question 19

What does the ‘LNAV+V’ annunciation mean?

Answer 19

It indicates that advisory vertical guidance is being provided, assisting the pilot in flying a constant descent to the MDA.

Question 20

How is rising terrain depicted in the plan view of an IAP chart?

Answer 20

Rising terrain is depicted with contour lines in shades of brown if it exceeds certain height criteria relative to the airport elevation.

Question 21

What is a computer navigation fix (CNF)?

Answer 21

A CNF is a point defined by latitude/longitude coordinates required for Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) operations.

Question 22

What does the ‘negative W’ symbol on RNAV (GPS) approach charts signify?

Answer 22

It indicates that site-specific WAAS UNRELIABLE NOTAMs are not provided, and pilots should use LNAV or circling minima for flight planning.

Question 23

Which takes precedence if there is a discrepancy between GPS navigation database and approach chart?

Answer 23

The published approach chart, supplemented by NOTAMs, takes precedence over the GPS navigation database.

Question 24

What is the difference between ‘load’ and ‘load and activate’ in FMS?

Answer 24

‘Loading’ an approach adds its waypoints to the flight plan without making them active, while ‘activating’ gives immediate course guidance to the initial approach fix.