

Therefore, the operational practices and techniques must ensure that descent rates greater than 1,000 fpm are not permitted in either the instrument or visual portions of an approach and landing operation. This is due to a human perceptual limitation that is independent of the type of airplane or helicopter. Operational experience and research have shown that a descent rate of greater than approximately 1,000 fpm is unacceptable during the final stages of an approach (below 1,000 feet AGL). Likewise, if ground speed increases, rate of descent must increase.įor a stabilized approach, the aircraft must be in an approved configuration for landing with a descent rate of less than 1,000 fpm when below DA or MDA and using bank angles of less than 15° below 500 feet AGL. The rate of descent required to stay on the ILS glide slope must be decreased if the ground speed is decreased. The rate of descent on the glide slope depends upon ground speed.

If, during an approach with vertical guidance (glide slope or glide path), the glide slope and localizer are centered, but the airspeed is too fast, the pilot's first action should be to reduce power. Precision Runway Monitoring (PRM) is a RADAR system for monitoring approaches involving closely spaced parallel runways.įor all straight-in instrument approaches, to include contact approaches in IFR weather conditions, the approach must be stabilized before descending below 1,000 feet above the airport or TDZE.įor visual approaches and straight-in instrument approaches in VFR weather conditions, the approach must be stabilized before descending below 500 feet above the airport elevation. After the aircraft reaches the decision height (DH) or decision altitude (DA), guidance is advisory only. ATC may assign a visual approach.Ī PAR (precision approach radar) approach is a type of radar guided approach designed to provide lateral and vertical guidance to an aircraft pilot for landing, until the landing threshold is reached. The pilot must at all times have either the airport or the preceding aircraft in sight. The pilot must request this type of approach from ATC and may only be issued if there is at least 1 SM visibility and the aircraft can remain clear of clouds.Ī Visual Approach is an approach to a runway at an airport conducted under IFR but where the pilot proceeds by visual reference and clear of clouds to the airport. When can you log instrument approaches? Read thisĪ Contact Approach is an approach available to aircraft operating on an IFR flight plan, where the pilot may deviate from the published instrument approach procedure (IAP) and proceed to the destination airport by visual reference to the surface.
