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  • Chapter 4: Approaches › Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA), Decision Altitude (DA), And Decision Height (DH)

    types of approaches. NDB and circling approaches are two common examples where the OpSpecs minimum listed altitudes may be more restrictive than the published minimums. Many Part 121 and 135 operators are restricted from conducting circling approaches below ... many have specific visibility criteria listed for NDB approaches that exceed visibilities published for the approach (commonly 2 SM). In these cases, flight crews must determine which is the more restrictive of the two and comply with those minimums…

  • Chapter 4: Approaches › Aircraft Approach Categories

    Note: Helicopter pilots may use the Category A line of minimums provided the helicopter is operated at Category A airspeeds. An airplane is certified in only one approach category, and although a faster approach may require higher category minimums ... used, an airplane cannot be flown to the minimums of a slower approach category. The certified approach category is permanent and independent of the changing conditions of day-to-day operations. From a TERPS viewpoint, the importance of a pilot…

  • Chapter 4: Approaches › Final Approach Segment

    Final Approach Segment The final approach segment for an approach with vertical guidance or a precision approach begins where the glideslope/glidepath intercepts the minimum glideslope/ glidepath intercept altitude shown on the approach chart. If ATC authorizes a lower intercept altitude ... final approach segment begins upon glideslope/glidepath interception at that altitude. For a non-precision approach, the final approach segment begins either at a designated FAF, which is depicted as a cross on the profile view, or at the point where…

  • Chapter 4: Approaches › NDB Approach

    Additionally, the final approach course and the extended runway centerline angle of convergence cannot exceed 30° for straight-in approaches. This type of NDB approach is afforded a minimum of 350 feet obstacle clearance. When a FAF is established ... approach, the approach design criteria changes. It also takes into account whether or not the NDB is located on or off the airport. Additionally, this type of approach can be made both moving toward or away from the NDB facility…

  • Chapter 4: Approaches › Approach Control

    Approach Control Approach control is responsible for controlling all instrument flights operating within its area of responsibility. Approach control may serve one or more airports. Control is exercised primarily through direct pilot and controller communication and airport surveillance radar ... Prior to arriving at the initial approach fix (IAF), instructions will be received from the air route traffic control center (ARTCC) to contact approach control on a specified frequency. Where radar is approved for approach control service, it is used…

  • Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures › Section 4. Arrival Procedures › 5-4-16. Simultaneous Close Parallel PRM Approaches and Simultaneous Offset Instrument A…

    Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA). 1. SOIA is a procedure used to conduct simultaneous approaches to runways spaced less than 3,000 feet, but at least 750 feet apart. The SOIA procedure utilizes a straight-in PRM approach ... runway, and a PRM offset approach with glideslope/glidepath to the adjacent runway. In SOIA operations, aircraft are paired, with the aircraft conducting the straight-in PRM approach always positioned slightly ahead of the aircraft conducting the offset PRM approach…