Owais Crawford
Approach plates are a tool used for IFR, ILS, and VFR flying, which show the specific procedure that must be followed for a particular type of approach. They are available as charts or in the NACO approach procedure book, which can be carried physically or downloaded from various sites. They are divided into segments, including the Briefing strip, the Plan view, and the Profile view. The Briefing strip provides critical information, including communication and navigation frequencies, while the Plan view contains the initial approach fixes, the main approach course, and the missed approach. The Profile view depicts the approach in a graphical format, showing altitudes and distances. Symbols, definitions, and abbreviations for each type of approach are defined and explained in the legends at the front of the NACO approach procedure book.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Approach plates show the specific procedure that must be followed for a particular type of approach. |
| Use | Approach plates are a tool for IFR/ILS and VFR flying. |
| Procedure ID | The first thing to look at is the Procedure ID, City, and Airport. |
| Briefing Strip | The briefing strip at the top gives critical information including Com and Navigation (NAV) frequencies, and Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS). |
| Plan View | Contains the initial approach fixes, the main approach course, and the missed approach. |
| Airport View | A thumbnail sketch of the airport environment, with runways, taxiways, and buildings. |
| Symbols | Symbols, definitions, and abbreviations for each type of approach are defined and explained in the legends at the front of the NACO approach procedure book. |
| Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs) | Establish methodical transitions from the en-route environment to the terminal environment in instrument meteorological conditions. |
| Missed Approach | The route that leads you away from the airport if you cannot see it when you reach your minimum allowable altitude. |
| Decision Altitude (DA) | The minimum altitude that you are able to descend without visual sight of the runway. |
| Minimums | The lowest altitude you can go without seeing the runway. |
| Notes | Charts are available for download from various sites. This information is for flight simulation only and is not a substitute for flight or ground instruction from a flight instructor. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding approach plates
Approach plates are a tool for IFR/ILS and VFR flying. They outline the specific procedure that must be followed for a particular type of approach. They are available as charts or in the NACO approach procedure book, which contains symbols, definitions, and abbreviations for each type of approach.
The first thing to look at is the Procedure ID and City, along with the Airport. For example, ILS for Runway 12L at North Las Vegas (VGT). The Briefing strip at the top gives critical information, including Com and Navigation (NAV) frequencies. The NAV frequency to tune into will be given, and the COM will be a series of frequencies. The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) frequency should be tuned into the COM channel and listened to when in range. This will provide information such as the altimeter setting.
The approach is depicted in both a Plan View and a Profile View. The Plan View contains the initial approach fixes (IAF), the main approach course, and the missed approach. The Profile View shows the waypoints and altitudes to the final approach fix (FAF). The graphical depiction of the missed approach fix and the length of the holding pattern are also shown here. The minimum safe altitude circle shows the lowest altitude you can reach while remaining a certain distance above any obstacles within a certain radius of the runway.
The larger numbers on the approach plate indicate the lowest altitude you can reach without seeing the runway and the minimum visibility required to do so. The aircraft categories (A, B, C, and D) are determined by the aircraft's final approach speed. If the runway is not in sight at the Decision Altitude (DA), the missed approach procedure must be followed. This will have been briefed beforehand and may involve climbing to a certain altitude and turning to a new heading.
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Briefing strip
The briefing strip is the first thing you see on an approach plate. It is usually shaded blue and contains critical information. This includes communication (COM) and navigation (NAV) frequencies, which are published along the bottom and arranged in the order you will use them. The COM frequencies you will need to enter include the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS), Approach, Tower, and Ground Control frequencies. The ATIS will provide important information such as the altimeter setting.
The briefing strip also contains other crucial items, such as the inbound course heading (given in magnetic degrees) and directions for the missed approach procedure. The missed approach procedure is the route that leads you away from the airport if you cannot see it when you reach your minimum allowable altitude. This is also depicted in the plan view, where it is shown as a dotted black line.
The minimum allowable altitude is the lowest you can go without seeing the runway. This is indicated by larger numbers on the approach plate, along with the minimum visibility required to descend to this altitude. If you are flying a precision approach, you will refer to this as the Decision Altitude (DA). If you reach the DA and still cannot see the runway, you will need to execute the missed approach procedure.
The briefing strip is an essential tool for pilots, providing critical information and guidance for approaching and departing from an airport. It is part of the approach plate, which is used for IFR/ILS and VFR flying and shows the specific procedures that must be followed for a particular type of approach.
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Plan view
The plan view is a crucial aspect of the approach plate, providing a detailed map of the airport's layout and the surrounding terrain features. It is designed to assist pilots in navigating the initial phases of the approach and understanding the specific procedures associated with the airport. Here is a breakdown of the critical elements typically found in the plan view:
Initial Approach Fixes (IAF): These are denoted by the initials IAF enclosed in parentheses and represent the starting points for your approach. They are critical waypoints that guide you towards the main approach course.
Main Approach Course: This is typically represented by a bold black line on the plan view. It indicates the primary path that aircraft should follow during the approach. This line provides a clear visual reference for pilots, ensuring they are aligned correctly with the runway.
Missed Approach: The plan view also illustrates the procedure for a missed approach, depicted by a dotted black line. This route is followed when an aircraft cannot land as planned, either due to poor visibility or other factors. It leads the aircraft away from the airport, providing a safe alternative path.
Airport Layout: The plan view offers a miniature representation of the airport, including runways, taxiways, and significant terrain features such as large bodies of water or rivers nearby. This overview helps pilots orient themselves and make informed decisions during the approach.
Minimum Safe Altitude Circle: This circle, often found on the plan view, indicates the minimum altitude you can descend to while maintaining a safe distance from obstacles within a certain radius of the runway. It ensures pilots stay above potential hazards and provides crucial information for a safe descent.
Communication Frequencies: While not always directly depicted on the plan view, the surrounding information includes crucial communication frequencies. These frequencies are used for airspace and airport communications and are typically arranged in the order they will be used during the approach and landing process.
The plan view is a comprehensive tool that provides pilots with the essential information needed to navigate towards an airport safely and effectively. It offers a visual representation of the approach path, including waypoints, altitudes, and alternative procedures, ensuring a well-informed and controlled flight path.
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Airport view
The airport sketch or airport view is a crucial component of approach plates, providing pilots with a visual representation of the airport layout and essential information for safe landing. This sketch is drawn to scale and oriented relative to true north, ensuring accuracy and precision during the approach and landing phases of flight.
The airport view typically includes runways, which are depicted drawn to scale, allowing pilots to visually grasp the length and width of the landing area. This visual representation assists pilots in aligning their aircraft with the designated runway, ensuring a safe and accurate approach path. The orientation of the runways relative to true north provides pilots with a clear understanding of the direction in which the runways are facing, aiding in navigation and situational awareness.
Additionally, the airport sketch may include other relevant features, such as taxiways, aprons, and terminal buildings. These elements provide pilots with a comprehensive understanding of the airport layout, enabling efficient ground navigation after landing. The sketch may also include obstacles or vertical obstructions, enhancing pilots' situational awareness and helping them identify potential hazards or challenges during the approach or departure.
The airport view is particularly critical during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or snow. In such conditions, pilots rely heavily on the airport sketch to ensure accurate alignment with the runway and to maintain the required minimum visibility for a safe landing. The airport view, as part of the approach plates, provides essential navigational information, including waypoints, altitudes, and minimum visibility requirements, ensuring a smooth and secure transition from the en route airway segment to a successful landing on the designated runway.
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Instrument approach procedures
IAPs are a series of predetermined manoeuvres with reference to flight instruments and specified protection from obstacles from the initial approach fix or, where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route to a point from which a landing can be completed. If a landing cannot be completed, the IAPs will direct the aircraft to a position at which holding or en-route obstacle clearance criteria apply.
IAPs are classified into four segments: arrival, initial approach, intermediate approach, and missed approach. The arrival segment is a transition from the en-route phase to the approach phase of the flight. The initial approach segment begins at the initial approach fix (IAF) and ends at the intermediate fix. The intermediate approach segment usually begins at the intermediate fix (IF) and ends at the final approach fix (FAF) or final approach point (FAP). The missed approach segment is designed to provide protection from obstacles and specifies a point where the missed approach begins, and a point or an altitude/height where it ends.
Approach plates are a tool for IFR/ILS and VFR flying. They show the specific procedure that must be followed for a particular type of approach. Symbols, definitions, and abbreviations for each type of approach are defined and explained in the legends at the front of the NACO approach procedure book.
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Frequently asked questions
Approach plates are a tool for IFR/ILS and VFR flying. They show the specific procedure that must be followed for a particular type of approach.
Airport approach plates provide information on the airport layout, terrain features, runway lighting systems, and the inbound course heading. They also include frequencies for the airspace and airport, as well as directions for the missed approach procedure.
Airport approach plates are divided into segments, including the Briefing Strip, the Plan View, and the Profile View. The Briefing Strip provides critical information such as frequencies and inbound course heading. The Plan View contains the initial approach fixes, the main approach course, and the missed approach. The Profile View depicts altitudes and distances for the approach.
