Appendix B: Approach Plate Study Technique

APPENDIX B

APPROACH PLATE STUDY TECHNIQUE

B100. GENERAL

During preflight planning, check forecast surface wind at destination for your estimated time of

arrival. The runway in use is not always the one most closely aligned into the wind due to noise

abatement procedures or traffic patterns, but usually you can narrow the number of approach

plates to be studied. Approaching the terminal area, determine the instrument approach in use at

destination from ATIS if available, or question the controller.

B101. RECOMMENDED APPROACH PLATE STUDY TECHNIQUE

The following is a recommended technique to study approach plates:

Plan View

Mentally fly the approach from the IAF to the MAP and determine all lead points and procedures

that apply during the approach. Identify the point where the aircraft should be configured for

landing. You undoubtedly will notice headings, NAVAID frequency and location, and the

holding pattern if published. Other information available to you on the plan view is:

Feeder Routes are designed to channel aircraft from the enroute structure to the IAF.

They are published only if they provide an operational advantage and coincide with

the normal local air traffic flow. The course you see will take you to the IAF and the

distance displayed is from the feeder fix to the IAF.

Minimum Safe Altitude provides the pilot with at least 1000 feet of obstacle

clearance within a specified distance from the navigational facility upon which the

procedure is predicated. An Emergency Safe Altitude provides a 1000foot obstacle

clearance within a 100mile radius of the NAV facility or a 2000foot obstacle

clearance in designated mountainous areas.

Frequencies. At the top of the page, you will see listed the most commonly used

frequencies and the name of the ATC facility to which you will be talking.

Profile View

Review for altitude and descent rates. Observe the altitude restrictions and know where they

apply. Minimum, maximum, mandatory, and recommended altitudes precede the fix or facility

to which they are intended. If this is not the case, an arrow will indicate exactly where the

altitude applies. In this section, you will also find the published Missed Approach Procedures.

APPROACH PLATE STUDY TECHNIQUE B-1