Chapter 5 — Approaches

Approach Planning   5-1
Weather Considerations   5-1
Weather Sources   5-2
Broadcast Weather   5-4
Automatic Terminal Information Service   5-4
Automated Weather Observing Programs   5-4
Center Weather   5-4
Regulatory Requirements   5-4
Part 91 Operators   5-4
Part 135 Operators 5-5   5-5
Part 121 Operators   5-5
Performance Considerations   5-5
Airplane Performance Operating Limitations   5-6
Approach Speed and Category   5-7
Operational Considerations   5-7
Approach Chart Formats   5-7
Approach Chart Naming Conventions   5-8
Straight-In Procedures   5-8
Circling Only Procedures   5-8
Area Navigation Approaches   5-10
Communications   5-12
Approach Control   5-12
Air Route Traffic Control Center   5-13
Airports With an Air Traffic Control Tower   5-13
Airports Without an Air Traffic Control Tower   5-14
Primary NAVAID   5-15
Approach Chart Notes   5-15
Courses   5-16
Area Navigation Courses   5-17
Altitudes   5-17
Minimum Safe Altitude   5-18
Final Approach Fix Altitude   5-18
Minimum Descent Altitude, Decision Altitude, and Decision Height   5-18
Vertical Navigation   5-20
Wide Area Augmentation System   5-20
Required Navigation Performance   5-23
RNAV Approach Authorization   5-23
Airport/Runway Information   5-26
Instrument Approach Procedure Briefing   5-26
Navigation and Communication Radios   5-26
Flight Management Systems   5-28
Autopilot Modes   5-28
Stabilized Approach   5-30
Descent Rates and Glidepaths for Nonprecision Approaches   5-31
Transition to Visual   5-31
Missed Approach   5-32
Example Approach Briefing   5-33
Instrument Approach Procedure Segments   5-36
Feeder Routes   5-37
Terminal Routes 5-38
DME Arcs    5-38
Course Reversal   5-38
Initial Approach Segment    5-40
Intermediate Approach Segment    5-41
Final Approach Segment    5-41
Missed Approach Segment    5-42
Approach Clearance    5-42
Vectors to Final Approach Course    5-42
Nonradar Environment    5-43
Types of Approaches    5-43
Visual and Contact Approaches    5-43
Visual Approaches    5-43
Contact Approaches    5-44
Charted Visual Flight Procedures    5-44
RNAV Approaches    5-44
Terminal Arrival Areas    5-45
RNAV Final Approach Design Criteria    5-46
GPS Overlay of Nonprecision Approach    5-48
GPS Stand-Alone/RNAV (GPS) Approach    5-48
RNAV (GPS) Approach Using WAAS    5-49
ILS Approaches    5-50
ILS Approach Categories    5-50
Category II and III Approaches    5-50
ILS Approaches to Parallel Runways    5-52
Parallel    5-52
Simultaneous    5-52
Precision Runway Monitor    5-53
Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approaches    5-56
Converging    5-56
Microwave Landing System    5-56
VOR Approach    5-59
NDB Approach    5-60
Radar Approaches    5-61
Precision Approach Radar    5-62
Airport Surveillance Radar    5-63
Localizer Approaches    5-63
Localizer and Localizer DME    5-64
Localizer Back Course    5-65
Localizer-Type Directional Aid    5-65
Simplified Directional Facility    5-66