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Are We Established?
When the approach controller issues a clearance, “maintain 3,000 feet until established,” what does it mean to be established? The specific meaning of this phrase is a bit more involved than a short definition, and it is critically relevant in avoiding Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents. Maintain the last altitude assigned by ATC until…
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GPS Flight Planning – WAAS Going On?
It’s time to review the rules for planning an IFR flight with GPS navigation. Maybe the airplane has an old receiver without WAAS capability. Or maybe the rules have changed too many times to remember the current limitations. Where to find the answers? Destination Alternates – Without WAAS I’m starting with destination rules, because most…
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Missed Approach Points in Jeppesen Charts
The M.A.P. Study Guide is a list of notes I first developed during instrument-flight-instructor training because I needed a concise explanation of various approach profiles. Now that I’m considering airline jobs, I’ve decided to adapt my study guide to the chart format used by Jeppesen, which is also used by many airlines. I find the missed approach…
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Missed Approach Point Study Guide
The M.A.P. Study Guide is a list of notes I first developed during instrument-flight-instructor training because I needed a concise explanation of various approach profiles. Now that I am instructing instrument students, it seems this guide is the best tool for teaching missed approach identification with FAA charts. The Missed Approach Point and Missed Approach Track…
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New Circling Procedures in Michigan
Starting with the current chart cycle from August 22, the radius of protected airspace for new circling approach procedures has increased. This change will mainly affect airplanes in approach categories B through D. While the procedures are flown in the same way, the requirements for a larger protected airspace may result in higher altitudes being…