Thanks for the reply.
Are we talking about the LAST page of the pdf document VOR/DME RWY 14?

Nothing I can see on the document indicates that the course reversal is
visual. I'm guessing it might be because we cross the field outbound, and even
though it's a sea-level airport, you don't have to go too far out before you
start getting into terrain issues - plus of course the fact that we are below
the PAPI glideslope.

Though it's not shown on this plate, the 334° course takes us directly over
the NDB located on field at the Decimomannu air force base, 8nm out. Maybe
flying over that field has something to do with why we are so low?

Greg





In article , says...



G Farris wrote:

Who can explain this approach to me - VOR + DME RWY 14 (LIEE)
http://www.vatita.net/download/plann...s/LIEE_ial.pdf

I flew as a passenger in an Alitalia MD80 the other day, and we apparently
flew this approach. As we made our left turn to final, I could see the PAPI
lights on RWY 14 - all four red obviously.

I'm assuming we're supposed to be visual throughout this procedure turn,
but I
don't understand the reason for flying so low. 2100ft at 12DME?

Any ideas? Thanks.

G Faris

The solid lines are all flight tracks for the appproach that are not
restricted to
visual flight. The broken lines are for two different missed approach
procedures.

The procedure is for Runway 32. If you landed on 14 you had to circle to the
east
with a left turn onto final for 14. The circle-to-land would be visual and
can be
done as low as 987 feet above airport elevation. It would not be unusual to
be
below the PAPI or VASI during turn to final on a circle-to-land.