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Instrument approach systems

Precision, APV, non-precision: what each approach family gives you for guidance, what it costs you in minimums — each one taught on a real chart.

  1. 1The approach familiesPrecision, APV, and non-precision: the FAA classification, DA versus MDA, and the vocabulary the rest of this module assumes.13 min
  2. 2The ILS approachLocalizer, glideslope, markers, and categories -- read on the real ILS or LOC RWY 4R chart into Boston Logan.16 min
  3. 3VOR approachesFlying a course off a ground station with no vertical guidance -- an on-field VOR at Nantucket and an off-field VOR at Hyannis, both on real charts.15 min
  4. 4NDB approachesThe ADF needle, bearings, and the timed final segment -- flown on the real NDB RWY 31 chart into Peoria.14 min
  5. 5Localizer, LOC BC, LDA, and SDFLocalizer-only approaches, the back-course reversal trap, and the odd cousins -- on the real back-course chart into Santa Ana.13 min
  6. 6RNAV (GPS) approachesLPV, LNAV/VNAV, and LNAV on one chart, plus the TAA and the hold-in-lieu-of-procedure-turn -- flown on the real RNAV (GPS) RWY 6 into Manchester.15 min
  7. 7Flying to minimums: MDA, VDP and CDFATwo ways to fly a non-precision final segment, the visual descent point that connects the two, and computing a VDP from real chart numbers.13 min
  8. 8Circling approachesProtected areas that grow with speed, approach categories, circling minimums, and the night trap -- on a real circling-only chart at Reno.14 min
  9. 9Visual and contact approachesTwo different ATC authorizations that both skip the published approach, with different weather requirements and different responsibilities -- on the real Tipp Toe Visual into San Francisco.12 min