Last minute approach change

If you didn't brief the VOR, you should get vectors to give you time to brief it, as applicable per company SOP. Would you continue with a Check Airman or Fed in the js?
 
How'd you get cleared for the visual without having the runway/ plane in front in sight? I won't say what I'd do, I'm a freight dog.;) Just kidding. Get vectors for 30 seconds or so, set the approach, and go. Shouldn't be more than 2 minutes delay total.
 
This kinda reminds me of that Asian-based airline ( I can't remember the name Korean Air?) That had the field in sight at night and was on the visual. Well there was a mountain between them and the airport that they never saw because of the darkness, although they had the field in sight, the came at the right place at the right time and fell below glidepath. They slammed into the mountain never knowing it was there. I'd make sure that I was well set up for this approach before accepting any kinda of clearance at night.
 
Doug Taylor said:
Let's say you're flying into Manchester, NH at night.

There's about a 2000 foot ceiling and approach says that they're executing the visual approach for runway 17.
Click to expand...

Well I decided to look at the VOR 17 approach into Manchester. A few things to note:
1. TDZ is 229' (for RNWY17)
2. MSA (for our area, is 3400'), Not knowing the distance from the FAF to the MHT VOR, hopefully it is within the 25NM MSA ring.
3. Doug said the ceiling is at 2000'. Well, clouds are reported in AGL, correct? And our altitude of 2000', is MSL, correct? So, we would have broken out of the clouds around 2242' (cause the Airport elevation is 242').

Doug Taylor said:
Nothing seems 'NOTAM'ed out so you set up for the visual approach backed up by the ILS.

He sends you down to 2000 which is the 'minimum vector altitude' and then clears you for the visual.

You can see the runway so you insist on getting cleared for the ILS.

"We didn't turn on the antennae. Do you want the VOR approach?"

"Sure"

"blahbitty blah blah" "cleared for the VOR 17 approach"

You're at the final approach fix and apparently on course just as you're tuning in the frequency and dialing-in the final approach course.

What do you do?
Click to expand...

Assuming that the FAF that Doug is refering to, is the VOR FAF; I would continue on the visual and land, as the ceiling is above us and not a factor.

Why do you need the VOR? You have the runway in sight, your only 5.5NM from the MAP, and 5.7NM to the runway. Plenty of time to make a normal approach to land.

Being that close, and at the FAF, you must be able to make the out he PAPI.

Briefing the ILS 17, you have to have some knowledge of where you are, what the safe altitude is around your area, etc.

So, I would scrap the VOR (Aviate, Navigate, Communicate), fly the plane; and LAND using the visual clearance we received.

Doug, what would you do?
 
AHHH!! All those broken quotes are killing me. I skipped to the end.

I'm not getting this; if I'm at the FAF for the VOR 17, tuned in, dialed up, and on course, why would I do anything else but continue the approach and land? Am I not configured? Do I not have time to slow down? I guess what I'm asking is, what is preventing me from a normal approach and landing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top