Briefing an approach

popaviator

popaviator

Well-Known Member
I was wondering how others brief an approach? I've seen top to bottom with almost every detail included. I've also seen only the important parts briefed as well. discuss....
 
Just the mins are required by Big Blue. I mention the stepdown fixes too, but just scan the rest of it myself.
 
Generally, I do a top to bottom brief including frequencies, inbound course, tdze, runway length, landing distance, inbound vector or assigned iaf, step down fixes, faf, map, minimums, the initial missed course and altitude, then ask for questions at the end.
 
I brief it fairly simple. Run through the breifing strip tuning in as much as i can or at least putting it in standby. Then move down to the plan view and kind of discuss how we are going to navigate the approach based on where we are and what we can expect. Very general. After that really just the first step in the missed.

I've noticed that if i brief ALL the important little numbers 10 minutes before hand they are probably going to only remember the first little thing I mentioned and the last.

At least when people brief the entire damn thing to me all I get from it is the ILS freq is 109.7 and i'm some supposed to hold somewhere as published when I go missed. Awesome.
 
I start at the top and work my way from left to right working my way from top to bottom looking for every detail. Maybee a little overkill but at least i know i didn't miss anything. If it's a new airport/new approaches i generally chair fly them before i even depart too. Living in Utah dosen't give me much IFR exposure so when i do hood work i try to be as thorough as possible.
 
one thing I usually mentioned was the safe alt...something like, "terrain to the ne safe altitude is a nw turn at above 2500' if we have a problem...."
 
I liked "I Shaft 'm" I always thought that was funny.

Identify the approach
Speeds to fly (in the 1900C that'd be Vref, etc.)
Heading of inbound course
Altitudes (ie stepdowns)
Frequencies
Time (if required)
Missed approach point and procedure
 
What is this "briefing" you speak of? lol

Funny thing is where I work at now they don't even brief an approach plate. They have a standard brief but it does not focus on the approach plate at all.
 
"Breifing strips?" LIDOs don't have those, the info is just kind here, there and everywhere. :)

This is what I used back in my instructing days:

Marker beacons on
Idetify navaids
Course
Entry
Altitudes
Times
Missed approach point
Missed approach instructions

For 9E, I cheat. It's printed on the checklist. :) If you want the quick and dirty it's normally plate ID (ILS 36L 7-40 21 Mar 2010 or something like that), 108.9 for the frequenxy, 358 for the course, cross CADUS at 2000 for an MDA of 540. Runway's 10000 ft long with PAPIs on the left. Flaps 20 (or 8, depending on aircraft) missed approach with tower instructions. If we lose comms we'll (insert publish missed). Right turn off the runway at M6 and taxi to C11 via M, T, J. Any questions?

Dear god. That was all from memory, too. I think I've flown that approach a few times....

Visuals get a shorter brief. Something like visual to 36L backed up by the ILS, frequency 108.9, 358 for the course. Pattern altitude will be 1900 ft, flaps 8 (or 20) on the go per tower instructions. Right turn at M6, taxi to C11 via M, T, J.
 
I am pretty convinced that a 10 minute approach brief will be remembered for about 13 seconds. I am more from the side that advocates covering the very critically important stuff and don't over complicate it to the point that your eyes are rolling around in your head like slot machines.

Basic things like: Does the airplane have any MELs that could affect your approach? Is the Glide Slope out of service? Displaced thresholds and other NOTAMS etc.....Basically, do I have a good runway and do I have a good airplane? Second, brief the frequency, inbound course and set your altimeter bugs to the appropriate places. Briefly discuss the basics of the missed approach procedure but don't over do it. The non flying pilot can guide you through the details as long as you have a general idea of where to go and how high to climb.

An effective approach brief for 99 percent of the approaches we do can be accomplished in about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
 
You have to start each sentence of the briefing with the word AND.

For example, "AND Washington Center this is....."

Seriously, on a checkride you need to brief EVERYTHING. In the real world ppragman has the answer. The basics....if you get to long-winded, the information will be lost.

I have the other crew member verify the frequency, inbound course setting, and MSA. THEN I brief the approach; Altitudes (step down), Minimums and Missed.
 
ScoutFlyer said:
Generally, I do a top to bottom brief including frequencies, inbound course, tdze, runway length, landing distance, inbound vector or assigned iaf, step down fixes, faf, map, minimums, the initial missed course and altitude, then ask for questions at the end.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:
 
calcapt said:
Go down, slow down, touchdown. :crazy:
Click to expand...

That is a great technique man. How can you ever go wrong with that one?

When I brief myself for an approach I usually try to make it pretty short so I remember the most important things. I always grab the weather, then brief the frequency, course, IAF altitude, minimums, and the time. I also quickly glance at the missed approach and usually just throw the frequency of it in nav2 (if it is a hold on a VOR or something).
 
Depends on the complexity of the approach, weather, etc.

I'll always do the part that involves double checking the points in the FMS, the Frequencies in both radios, MDA if required. Then I'll come up with a general plan of what we should expect (runway turnoff, etc).

I'll always do some sort of brief, but on a 5 leg day where we've done the same approach at the same airport 3 times already I'll just go over the big stuff.
 
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