Approach Chart Trivia

troopernflight

troopernflight

Well-Known Member
I thought I would start by throwing out an approach with a question and see who can answer it first. It would be good for me and I'm sure for lots of others to share some interesting approach plate questions and answers so we all could learn something new. This one's pretty easy, why is there no published straight in minimums for the KMFR LOC/DME BC-B?
http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1413/00251LDBCB.PDF
Do you guys have any interesting approaches and quiz questions? I would like to see what I can learn from others around the country, and discover some interesting approaches I haven't seen yet.
 
skypilot6

skypilot6

Well-Known Member
The approach is listed as A circling approach, which is notified by the "B" in the title. Circling approaches can also be identified by "A,B,C..." Hence no straight in minima.

As for why, Im sure it has something to with the 5.98 decent angle on the approach. My google fu is weak tonight and I cannot remember at which angle it becomes a Circling approach, but something tells me its greater than 4 degrees.
 
fholbert

fholbert

Mod's - Please don't edit my posts!
The rate or angle of decent required is too high.

However nothing says you have to circle. I had some yoyo pilot say something to me over the radio because I dropped the barn door flaps and went straight in at Corona CA. It has the same steep final approach course.
 
Last edited:
troopernflight

troopernflight

Well-Known Member
You have to dig into the TERPS in chapter 9 to get the official answer, but here it is:

905. DESCENT GRADIENT. The OPTIMUM
gradient in the final approach segment is 318 feet per
mile. Where a higher descent gradient is necessary,
the MAXIMUM permissible gradient is 400 feet per
mile. When maximum straight-in descent gradient is
exceeded, then a "circling only" procedure is
authorized. When a stepdown fix is incorporated,
descent gradient criteria must be met from FAF to
SDF and SDF to FEP. See para-graphs 251, 252,
 
Ajax

Ajax

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Just off the top of my head, my books are still in boxes after the move but I think it's +400ft/nm and/or 30 degrees off final approach course
 
Autothrust Blue

Autothrust Blue

Did Not Grow Up
fholbert said:
The rate or angle of decent required is too high.

However nothing says you have to circle. I had some yoyo pilot say something to me over the radio because I dropped the barn door flaps and went straight in at Corona CA. It has the same steep final approach course.
Click to expand...
SMO is the same way, with the VOR (GPS)-A, which is almost but not quite "STRAIGHT IN LANDING RWY 21."
 
Autothrust Blue

Autothrust Blue

Did Not Grow Up
womanpilot73 said:
I actually flew the LOC BC @ MFR on my instrument checkride back in 2003. Sure miss flying out there!
Click to expand...
It truly is great flying up there.

z987k said:
The GPS-A at PAKP has such a steep descent, that if you don't already have the airport in sight at the FAF, you have to perform the circle to be in a position to land from the MAP. It's straight in rwy 2 though.

http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1413/09380RA.PDF
Click to expand...
That's some terrain they've got up there. Also, I hope the GPS doesn't quit on the missed...
 
z987k

z987k

Well-Known Member
Autothrust Blue said:
It truly is great flying up there.


That's some terrain they've got up there. Also, I hope the GPS doesn't quit on the missed...
Click to expand...
This is why you have 2. Realistically if you have good sa and have made the first turn, you could climb straight away and not hit anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top