Instrument Syllabus Section 4
4A - Introduction to Instrument Approaches
Understand the Charting and Procedures of Airport Instrument Approaches
Assignments
- OF - Instrument Approaches (ASA 29, The Instrument Approach through Visual Illusions)
- OF - Introduction to Instrument Charting Products for Approaches
- OF - Approach Architecture
- OF - Descent Below Minimums
- OF - NOTAMs for Approaches
- OF - Safely Flying a Missed Approach
- OF - Understanding Charted Minimums
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- understands the basic structure and phases of an instrument approach procedure.
- can identify the lateral and vertical navigation constraints.
- knows where to find necessary airport information and frequencies.
- can correctly interpret the minimums for the approach.
- can understand the approach chart elements for flying the missed approach segment.
- is able to obtain and apply instrument approach NOTAMs.
4B - VOR Approaches
Track an Instrument Approach Using a VOR Course as the Primary Navigational Guidance
Assignments
- ASA Ch 12 (The VOR Instrument Approach)
- OF - Flying a VOR Approach
- OF 4B - SCFC Standard Approach (sheet)
- OF - Approach Chart Briefing
- Review Instrument Approaches assigned by CFI
Activities
- Perform a full approach briefing
- Approach A - VOR on Field - CMA VOR RWY 26
- Approach A’ - VOR on Field (cross-radial stepdowns) - CMA VOR RWY 26
- Approach B - Distant VOR Outbound - TCY VOR RWY 26
- Approach C - VOR as IAF/FAF - APC VOR RWY 6 - go missed
- Approach C’ - VOR as IAF/FAF (VOR as MAP) - CEC VOR RWY 12 (airport visual lost during approach)
- Approach D - VOR DME Arc - WVI VOR A
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- can perform a standard and thorough approach briefing.
- understands how the location of the VOR station impacts signal strength and course sensitivity
- is able to determine the location of and the airplane’s passing of the Initial Approach Fix, the Final Approach Fix, stepdowns, and the Missed Approach Point.
- can identify the required runway visual elements to descend below MDA.
- convert to a safe visual approach and landing with the field in sight.
- can safely execute a missed approach procedure.
- is able to maintain all altitudes prescribed for the approach (+100/-0 tolerance) including MDA.
- is able to maintain a VOR course within 3⁄4 scale of the CDI needle.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ±10 knots.
4C - Localizer Approaches
Track an Instrument Approach Only the Localizer Signal From an ILS
Assignments
- OF - The Localizer (ASA 13, up to, but not The Glide Slope)
- OF - Flying a Localizer Approach
- Review Instrument Approaches assigned by CFI
Activities
- Approach E - Localizer no stepdowns inside FAF - SCK LOC RWY 29R (without WIGBY)
- Approach F - Localizer with DME Stepdowns inside FAF - HWD LOC RWY 28L
- Approach G - Localizer with Cross-Radials and Procedure Turn - HHR LOC RWY 25
- Approach G2 - Localizer with hold - APC LOC Z RWY 1L (with hold at IAF)
- Approach H - Localizer with Arc to IAF, CEC LOC RWY 12 (from YOBUN)
- Approach I - Localizer with Arc Stepdowns, CEC LOC RWY 12 (From WIPOG with step downs)
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- is able to tune and identify the localizer signal and knows in what phases of the approach the signal is usable.
- can use the signal of the localizer to execute a procedure turn.
- understands how the sensitivity of CDI changes as the distance to the localizer decreases.
- can identify runway visual elements that are a part of an instrument landing system.
- is able to maintain all altitudes prescribed for the approach (+100/-0 tolerance) including MDA.
- is able to maintain no more than a 3⁄4 scale deflection of the CDI needle.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ±10 knots.
4D - Nonprecision GPS Approaches
Track an Instrument Approach Entirely Using GPS Waypoints and Courses
Assignments
- OF - GPS Approaches (ASA Chapter 16, GPS Approaches through the end of chapter)
- OF - Flying a Nonprecision GPS Approach
Activities
- Approach J - LNAV - OAR RNAV (GPS) RWY 11
- Approach K - LNAV with PT (TAA) - SCK RNAV (GPS) RWY 29R (FASIT)
- Approach L - LNAV with many stepdowns - HWD RNAV (GPS) RWY 28L
- Repeat Approaches J, K, L partial panel
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- is able to perform a RAIM check and validate the GPS satellite coverage
- is able to load the GPS approach and select the appropriate initial approach point from the database.
- is able to activate the appropriate leg of the approach is being vectored
- understands how and when the sensitivity of GPS CDI changes in different phases of the approach.
- can read and interpret GPS annunciators and approach status indicators.
- understands how to activate the missed approach segment from the GPS
- is able to maintain all altitudes prescribed for the approach (+100/-0 tolerance) including MDA.
- is able to maintain no more than a 3⁄4 scale deflection of the CDI needle.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ±10 knots.
4E - Precision Approaches
Track an Instrument Approach Entirely Using GPS Waypoints and Courses
Assignments
- OF - Instrument Landing System (ASA 13, The Glide Slope and beyond)
- OF - Flying an ILS Approach
- OF - Flying Precision GPS Approaches
- OF - Radar Vectors
Activities
- Approach N - ILS Approach (long, wind changes) - KAPC ILS or LOC Z RWY 1L
- Approach O - ILS Approach (full approach, PT) - same
- Approach P - ILS Approach (vectors) - LVK ILS RWY 25R
- Approach P’ - ILS Approach (in sim) - LVK ILS RWY 25R - descent below DA to land
- Approach Q - ILS Approach (complexity, step downs before the FAF) - OAK ILS RWY 28R
- Approach R - ILS Approach (GS fails) - same
- Approach S - GPS LPV - OAK RNAV RWY 28L
- Approach T - GPS LNAV+V - E16 RNAV (GPS) RWY 32
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- understands the operation and signal reception issues of an ILS glide slope.
- intercepts glide slope from below outside of the final approach fix.
- uses appropriate pitch and power to fly the glide slope while maintaining airspeed.
- can detect the failure of the glide slope and take appropriate action.
- can recognize when the GPS unit is annunciating the appropriate precision GPS approach.
- can understand the difference between an LPV and an LNAV+V approach with respect to vertical guidance.
- appropriately uses decision altitude (DA) to determine whether to execute a missed approach.
- is able to maintain all altitudes prescribed for the approach (+100/-0 tolerance) including MDA.
- is able to maintain no more than a 3⁄4 scale deflection of the CDI needle.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ± 10 knots.
4F - Circling to Land
Track an Instrument Approach and Execute a Circle Approach
Assignments
- ASA Ch 30 (circling portions)
- OF - Circling to Land
Activities
- Approach U’ - KTCY RNAV RWY 12 Circle to 30
- towered (or SNS or WVI or STS)
- Approach V’ - LVK LOC 25R Circle to RWY 7 (based on wind)
- Approach W’ - KTCY RNAV RWY 12 Circle to 30 (lost airport visual during circle)
- Straight in approach from a circling only approach (HJO RNAV GPS B)
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- understands instrument approach chart notation and restrictions regarding circling approaches.
- includes circling intent and direction in all approach briefings.
- makes a decision on when to begin the circling maneuver and how to circle.
- can fly the circling maneuver while maintaining circling minimums.
- can perform a landing from the circling approach.
- knows the appropriate way to transition to a missed approach climb from any point on the circling approach, if visual contact with the runway is lost.
- can execute a missed approach after beginning a circling maneuver.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ± 10 knots.
4G - Other Approaches
TBD
Assignments
- OF - Other Approach Types (IFH 4-64, Simultaneous Approach to Parallel Runways to end of chapter)
- OF - Visual Approaches (IFH, 4-54 Types of Approaches, through 4-57 Charted Visual Flight Procedures)
Activities
- Approach U - LOC back course - MCE BC RWY 12, KRDD LOC BC RWY 16
- Approach V - CCR LDA RWY 19R
- Approach W - Visual approach into SQL (or other airport)
- Approach X (optional) - MRY RACEWAY VISUAL RWY 28L
- Approach with autopilot (APR)
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- understands instrument approach procedures for LOC BC, LDA, and charted visual approaches, and when they are appropriate choices for navigation.
- can interpret navigational course guidance for localizer back courses.
- can safely transition from an LDA approach alignment with the runway for visual landing.
- understands and adheres to the requirements for a visual approach clearance
- is able to maintain all altitudes prescribed for the approach (+100/-0 tolerance) including MDA.
- is able to maintain no more than a 3⁄4 scale deflection of the CDI needle.
- is able to maintain airspeed within ± 10 knots
4H - Associated Ground Topics
Acquire the Knowledge Needed to Support the Flight Skills of This Section
Assignments
- OF - Changes to Charted Minimums
- OF - Visual Maneuvering (ASA 30 excluding circle)
- OF - RADAR and No-Gyro Approaches
- OF - RNAV and RNP Operations
- OF - Unique Aspects of GPS for IFR Procedures
Completion Standards
When complete, the pilot
- understands all the factors that can modify charted approach minimums, including inoperative equipment, off-airport altimeter setting, or variations in aircraft equipment and instrumentation.
- understands risks associated with operating at airports in IFR conditions including runway visual illusions, wake turbulence, hydroplaning.
- understands the situations in which a RADAR or No-Gyro Approach could be necessary, and how these approaches are managed.
- is familiar with the levels of RNAV and RNP and which are appropriate to the equipment onboard the airplane.
- has been introduced to the unique ways that use of a GPS for an instrument approach can occasionally increase workload or cause pilot confusion.