Guided path
Fly an instrument approach
An instrument approach in the order you fly it, from reading the plate to the decision point and the go-around. Work through each step and the chart, the minima and the missed approach stop being a wall of abbreviations.
7 guides in order
- Operations
Reading an instrument approach chart
How an instrument approach chart is laid out: the plan view, profile, minimums box and missed approach, and how to read one in the order you will fly it.
4 min read Read - Operations
The ILS explained
How an instrument landing system works: the localiser, the glideslope, the marker beacons, and the CAT I, II and III categories that set how low you can go.
8 min read Read - Operations
Non-precision approaches
What makes an approach non-precision, the VOR, NDB, localiser and RNAV types, why they use a minimum descent altitude, and how APV approaches sit in between.
7 min read Read - Operations
Decision altitude and minimum descent altitude
The difference between a decision altitude and a minimum descent altitude, why one is a gate and the other a floor, and how DH and MDH fit in.
8 min read Read - Operations
PAPI and VASI visual glidepath
How the PAPI and VASI light systems show whether you are high or low on the approach, what the white and red lights mean, and the mnemonics for each.
7 min read Read - Operations
Stabilised approaches and CDFA
Why a continuous descent final approach beats dive-and-drive, what a stabilised approach means, and where the 1000 ft and 500 ft gate heights come from.
4 min read Read - Operations
The missed approach and the go-around
The difference between a go-around and a missed approach, when each is flown, the climb gradient that protects it, and why going around early is wise.
4 min read Read