Everyone knows that when flying VFR, that a pilot’s priorities are to aviate, navigate, and communicate. But when flying IFR, pilots are often confused by their priorities when faced with a high task load while preparing to fly an instrument approach. In a recent Aviation News Talk podcast I explain that IFR pilots should prioritize these three things above all other activities.
1. Rolling out onto headings
2. Leveling off at Altitudes
3. Intercepting the final approach course
Getting the ATIS, briefing the approach, talking to ATC and everything else are all lower priorities. In the podcast, I give much more detail about each of these three items.
Next, we talk about how to brief an instrument approach while in cruise flight and setting up for an instrument approach. Essentially, this means that you’ll methodically review the entire approach plate and set up as many of the radios as possible for the approach. Ideally, you’ll want to start briefing the approach as early as possible, because there are many things to note on the chart. Also, as you get closer to your destination, things will start happening much faster and often it’s the approach briefing time that gets cut short, leaving you poorly prepared for an approach that’s coming up quickly.
Here are a few of the steps, but please listen to the podcast for full details.
1. Note the title of the approach. Check whether GPS is included in the title.
2. Check in the title to see whether it’s a circling approach. If there’s no runway number in the title of the approach, it's a circling approach and you'll either be coming toward a runway at an angle, or the minimums are so high, that it will be difficult to land straight-in if you arrive at the missed approach point at the minimum descent altitude.
3. Note the direction of the final approach course.
4. Read all notes on the chart. In particular, look for any notes regarding night and/or circling restrictions.
5. Memorize the first 2 steps of the Missed Approach procedure
6. Work your way across the frequency box from left to right.
7. Note all Initial Approach Fixes or IAF’s on the chart, and determine which one you’re most likely to use.
8. In the profile view, note the minimum altitudes that you need to maintain prior to each fix. Also, note the distances between each stepdown, so that you can estimate the rate of descent you’ll need to reach the next altitude prior to reaching the next fix.
9. Review the approach categories and choose the one that’s appropriate for the speed you’ll be using on the approach.
10. Check the Straight in and Circling Minimums.
You'll find lots more detail about briefing the approach, and many other general aviation news and tidbits
in Episode 34 of the Aviation News Talk podcast.
You can find and download this and all of my podcast episodes on an iPhone or iPad here, or listen to it at Aviationnewstalk.com, where you'll also find links in the right column for Android phones and other podcast players. Fly safely and keep the blue side up!
Comments