Instrument Flight
Flight Procedures
Consider the following factors as you select an instrument approach:
1. Altitude structure flown (high or low)
2. Navigational equipment aboard aircraft
3. Types of approaches available at your destination
4. Published approach, pilot, and aircraft minimums
5. Weather
In preparing to execute an instrument approach, you should thoroughly familiarize yourself with the
following information:
1. Minimum and emergency safe altitudes
2. Initial approach altitude
3. Penetration and final inbound course
4. Altitude restrictions
5. Approach weather minimums
6. Approach minimums (minimum descent altitude (MDA) and/or decision height (DH)
7. Field elevation plus any special notes on terrain or obstacles
8. Missed approach procedures
9. Communications procedures
In addition to approach procedures, instrument approach charts also provide a diagram of the airport
(Figure 36) showing runway lengths, taxiways, obstructions, arresting gear and barrier locations, approach
lighting configuration, buildings and structures ground tract from FAF to runway.
Before commencing an instrument approach, you must know the approach procedure in use and complete
the “WARP” checklist: confirm the Weather, Altimeter setting, Runway in use, and perform Penetration
checks.
After determining which approach you desire to fly, request clearance to commence the approach.
Clearance for an approach does not constitute clearance to land or give you priority over VFR traffic in the
landing pattern: only the control tower may grant you clearance to land. However, the approach control
facility (i.e., a radar controller) can relay landing clearance to you.
NOTE: Selection of an approach other than the one identified by approach control as the approach in use
may cause a delay in clearance. If not equipped for the approach in use, relay that information to the
controller on initial contact with approach control.
NOTE: Because the instrument hood is used to simulate IMC conditions, acquiring the runway
environment is not possible and, therefore, you will always execute a missed approach at the decision
height (DH) or missed approach point (MAP) when under the bag.
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