Approach Acronym's

troopernflight

troopernflight

Well-Known Member
Does anyone use any sort of acronym to make sure you are not forgetting anything when flying an approach? For example, flying an ILS, you breif the approach and then it's time to get everything set up and checked. Check weather, enter the loc freq, twist the cdi to approach course, identify the loc, test your marker lights, com freqs in standby, make sure in loc mode (if using garmin 430), etc, etc. I always seem to forget something and thought it would be helpful to use an acronym, if possible. Any idea's?
 
Isn't that the point of the brief - all those tasks are on there.

troopernflight said:
Does anyone use any sort of acronym to make sure you are not forgetting anything when flying an approach? For example, flying an ILS, you breif the approach and then it's time to get everything set up and checked. Check weather, enter the loc freq, twist the cdi to approach course, identify the loc, test your marker lights, com freqs in standby, make sure in loc mode (if using garmin 430), etc, etc. I always seem to forget something and thought it would be helpful to use an acronym, if possible. Any idea's?
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WARPMMM

Weather
Approach plate brief
Radios Set
Prelanding check
Missed approach point
Missed approach procedure
Markers on
 
Actually, I think of the brief more as how you are going to fly the approach. i.e.- looking at the map view and descent profile, and what's going to happen during a missed approach. And yes, you may cover some of the items I mentioned when briefing. But I was hoping someone might have an acronym to make sure you don't miss anything.
 
I just use A.B.C. in my head.


Atis
Brief (IFR/VIS)
Checklist (Approach, Before Landing)



But really I just want to make sure I have gear and flaps down, yaw damp off. :) Everything else is just details :P
 
W - Weather: ATIS, current altimeter setting, weather.
R - Radios: set up the NAV/Com Frequencies
I - Instruments: Setup VOR radials, Marker becons on, GPS/LOC etc.
M - Minimums: Review DH, MDA, etc
T - Time
I - Inbound Course/Bearing/Radial
M - Missed Approach
 
tgrayson said:
There is no such acronym. Only the plate itself includes all the tasks and information you need to set up for the approach.
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Had an instructor who came up with a fake acronym of things to brief. He was making fun of all the different acronyms that people come up with so he pulled out one for "ANTI-DISESTABLISHMENTARIANISMIST"
 
troopernflight said:
Actually, I think of the brief more as how you are going to fly the approach. i.e.- looking at the map view and descent profile, and what's going to happen during a missed approach. And yes, you may cover some of the items I mentioned when briefing. But I was hoping someone might have an acronym to make sure you don't miss anything.
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He's talking about the briefing strip that Jepp developed (and NACO copied) apparently based on surveys of how professional pilots briefed themselves for the approach.

Go along the briefing strip - what part of an approach briefing that feel you need isn't covered or prompted (which is all even the best mnemonic will ever do and most of them suck) by the briefing strip?
 
fish314 said:
Had an instructor who came up with a fake acronym of things to brief. He was making fun of all the different acronyms that people come up with so he pulled out one for "ANTI-DISESTABLISHMENTARIANISMIST"
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I wish you remembers what it stood for :D
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
(which is all even the best mnemonic will ever do and most of them suck)
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:yeahthat:

My ABC is:

Approach - loaded in GPS
Brief- right down the briefing strip like Jepp intended
Confirm-that what you loaded and what you briefed jive, and that all the frequencies are in.

Doesnt help much in a non GPS airplane
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
the briefing strip that Jepp developed
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I think the format was actually developed at the DOT 's Volpe Center's Cockpit Human Factors Program. From their website:

NTSB implicated cluttered and difficult-to-read approach chart design as contributing to nine aircraft accidents. Volpe, in cooperation with the aviation industry and pilot groups, developed new designs for approach charts to increase the efficiency of information transfer. Jeppesen-Sanderson plans to completely replace their current charts using the Volpe format. The ATA adopted the Volpe chart design and sixteen "part 121 air carriers" now use the new chart designs. The Air Force has adapted the new format to electronic presentation and is evaluating it for military applications.
​
 
tgrayson said:
I think the format was actually developed at the DOT 's Volpe Center's Cockpit Human Factors Program. From their website:
NTSB implicated cluttered and difficult-to-read approach chart design as contributing to nine aircraft accidents. Volpe, in cooperation with the aviation industry and pilot groups, developed new designs for approach charts to increase the efficiency of information transfer. Jeppesen-Sanderson plans to completely replace their current charts using the Volpe format. The ATA adopted the Volpe chart design and sixteen "part 121 air carriers" now use the new chart designs. The Air Force has adapted the new format to electronic presentation and is evaluating it for military applications.
​
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Either way, the Jepp strip is 100% better. I give my students a checklist that may help you. I attached it. Modify as necessary.

http://rapidshare.com/files/232891090/Approach_Checklist.doc.html

I prefer to just go down the approach plate, but my students were skipping things.
 
Since Delta loves acronyms we have a couple for departure brief and approach brief: WARTS and NATS.

Weather, Abnormals, Runway, Threats (Terrain), Specials

Notams, Approach, Threats (Terrain), Specials

To brief an actual approach, the briefing strip is all you need.
 
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