Precision Approach Radar (PAR) Approach

CHAPTER SIX

T-34C INSTRUMENTS

630.

PRECISION APPROACH RADAR (PAR) APPROACH

Reference: AIM, Chapter 5; NIFM, Chapter 24, "Radar Approaches."

Amplification The precision approach radar (PAR) approach uses radar vice aircraft

equipment to vector the aircraft to a position for landing during conditions of low ceiling and/or

poor visibility. You have been introduced to vectoring procedures during radar vectors to final

approach course. During the radar vector procedure, the approach controller used his/her radar

capability to direct your aircraft onto a segment of a standard Instrument Approach Procedure.

During a radar approach, the controller will direct your aircraft to a position from which you can

safely land.

Radar approaches fall into two classes:

Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approaches which provide course and range

information only and are thus nonprecision approaches (these use an MDA).

PAR approaches provide course, range, and glideslope information and can thus be

flown to lower minimums using a Decision Height (DH).

This chapter will address PARs only. The procedures for ASRs are similar but will not be fully

discussed until Chapter Seven.

Planning for the PAR

Preflight Radar instrument approach minimums are published in the front of FLIP

Terminal Instrument Approach Procedures (approach plates) and in the minimum section of

approach plates if they have radar approaches available. Published information includes the

decision height, weather minimums, and glideslope angle. From glideslope angle and

groundspeed the pilot can determine the rate of descent required to maintain glideslope on

final using the rate of descent table, also in the back of the approach plates.

Familiarize yourself with this information as part of your preflight planning when a radar

approach (PAR or ASR) is available at your destination or alternate.

Figure 672 is a sample of the section in the approach plates that contains information on

radar approaches. For the purposes of illustration, we will consider the PAR approach to

RWY 5 at Mayport NS.

Beside the heading of RADAR is a list of frequencies on which your approach may

be used. The x's following the frequencies indicate that the radar site has the

capability to work on that frequency but does not monitor it continuously. (Additional

notes will be found in the Radio/NAV remarks section of the IFR supplement.)

RADIO INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURES 6-117