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Understanding a terminal procedures publication is key to completing a successful flight under instrument flight rules. How well can you interpret all the details and symbols on an IFR terminal procedures plate?

The final approach fix for the precision approach is located at
The final approach fix for the precision approach is located at
Correct! Wrong!
What is the touchdown zone elevation for RWY 16L on Mahlon Sweet Field?
What is the touchdown zone elevation for RWY 16L on Mahlon Sweet Field?
Correct! Wrong!
What waypoints are designated as fly-over waypoints?
What waypoints are designated as fly-over waypoints?
Correct! Wrong!
The symbol on the plan view represents a minimum safe sector altitude within 25 NM from the
The symbol on the plan view represents a minimum safe sector altitude within 25 NM from the
Correct! Wrong!
Which runway and landing environment lighting is available for approach and landing on RWY 4 at William P. Hobby airport?
Which runway and landing environment lighting is available for approach and landing on RWY 4 at William P. Hobby airport?
Correct! Wrong!
You are flying the ILS or LOC Y Rwy 4 approach to HOU. What frequency would you use to contact Houston Approach Control?
You are flying the ILS or LOC Y Rwy 4 approach to HOU. What frequency would you use to contact Houston Approach Control?
Correct! Wrong!
You're inbound to land using the ILS 34 approach. How much landing distance is available on RWY 34?
You're inbound to land using the ILS 34 approach. How much landing distance is available on RWY 34?
Correct! Wrong!
You have the required visual references are in sight. When should you leave the MDA and begin your descent to the runway?
You have the required visual references are in sight. When should you leave the MDA and begin your descent to the runway?
Correct! Wrong!
What determines the MAP for the straight-in VOR/DME RWY 36 approach at PUC?
What determines the MAP for the straight-in VOR/DME RWY 36 approach at PUC?
Correct! Wrong!
What does the symbol T within a black triangle in the minimums section of the IAP for a particular airport indicate?
What does the symbol T within a black triangle in the minimums section of the IAP for a particular airport indicate?
Correct! Wrong!

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IFR Approach Chart Symbols You got out of 10 right!

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6 replies
  1. Richard says:

    I guess that 70% correct isn’t too bad since I have not done any instrument flying in more than 40 years and have never flown a GPS approach.

  2. Dave says:

    With respect to the question about when you “should” leave MDA…

    You cannot leave MDA until you have “the runway environment” in sight. The visual descent point or VDP, is not a mandatory point to begin an approach for landing. A helicopter could fly this approach and does not need 1.5 miles to make a safe landing. It is a safe point for the highest category user (Cat D), to begin their approach to be in a position to “make a safe landing.” If I have only one mile of visibility, it is possible I won’t see “the runway environment” at 1.5 miles from the end of the runway. If I can’t make a safe landing at the point I do have “the runway environment” in sight, I should execute a missed approach. Runway environment in sight and in a position from where a safe landing can be made are the key requirements to determine when you “should” descend from MDA.

  3. Jerrold Seckler says:

    How do you know you were approaching from the west of the field in answering the question about which approach frequency to use?

    And the real answer is to use the frequency you are told to use by the controller handing you off to approach.

  4. Steve Ware says:

    Question #1; The final approach fix for the precision approach is located at?
    The glide slope intercept doesn’t define the FAF. The glide slope altitude should be as depicted at or above 8000, but the FAF is still the LOM/8.1 DME. Begin timing at the FAF, 8.1 DME, as a backup in case you lose the glide slope and have to transition to LOC minimums only with a MAP of 1.8 DME and timing as a backup. Whether you are flying a precision, non-precision straight-in, Circling, or Side-step, the FAF is the same.

    • Steve K says:

      The FAF for an ILS approach is always at glide slope intercept. Back in the day, there used to be marker beacons to help the pilot recognize that point. They have gone away due to the use of GPS.

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Chris Clarke