KDEN ILS 35R - GSI Alt?

[Zero1Niner]

Is the glide slope intercept 7k or 9k on this approach?

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/1109/09077IL35R.PDF

I thought the lightning bolt was always the GSI, but the # symbol is confusing me.

What say ye?

 

[gotWXdagain]

GS Intercept is 7,000 and the # denotes that you can be assigned something different by ATC.

 

[Zero1Niner]

Yeah, right? The # symbol has nothing to do with GSI, right? Its referring to the step-down altitude from what I can see. Sound right?

 

[Houston]

Sound right?

Right.

The # symbol is explained in the profile view where it is used. As others noted, it is "# or as assigned by ATC".

The lightning bolt is the final approach fix for vertically guided approaches (an ILS). That is often, but not always, at the same location as the Maltese cross, which denotes the final approach fix for non-precision approaches (LOC).

Here is a link to references:

FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide

The altitude with the line under it (7000 on the DEN ILS or LOC RWY 35R approach) is the "glideslope intercept altitude", which is not necessarily the altitude at which you would intercept the glideslope. While that sounds like a contradictory statement, you find the definition of the glideslope intercept altitude in the Pilot Controller Glossary.

GLIDESLOPE INTERCEPT ALTITUDE- The minimum altitude to intercept the glideslope/path on a precision approach. The intersection of the published intercept altitude with the glideslope/path, designated on Government charts by the lightning bolt symbol, is the precision FAF; however, when the approach chart shows an alternative lower glideslope intercept altitude, and ATC directs a lower altitude, the resultant lower intercept position is then the FAF.