"Newps" wrote in message
...
ATC is required to put you in a position to intercept the glideslope from
below.

By a strange coincidence, I was reading a recent CHIRP publication this
morning, and this very subject came up. The response, if I'm understanding
it correctly, is a little concerning - it implies that there are places
where a glideslope intercept from above is regarded as normal.

The text of the report is reproduced here.

********
Report Text
On several occasions at AAA (UK major airport), I have been vectored to the
ILS, on both the easterly and westerly runways, such that the aircraft is
above the glidepath at localiser intercept.

I have discovered that this is not an unknown occurrence; colleagues within
my Company and from other airlines have suffered similar problems. I
understand that representations have been made to the Duty Supervisor, but
the practice continues sporadically.

As far as I am aware, no aircraft are equipped to intercept the glidepath
automatically from above.

My next course of action will be an MOR, but CHIRP might just highlight the
issue such that an MOR is unnecessary.

CHIRP Comment
It is sometimes the case that height restrictions associated with airspace
structure or particular traffic conditions can result in intercepting the
localiser above the glidepath.

Also, the use of Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs), required by the
Department for Transport for environmental reasons at some UK airports, is
also considered to be 'best practice' at other locations for the reduction
of noise, nuisance and emissions (UKAIP ENR 1-1-3-1 Para 2.3.1 refers).

One of the principal objectives of CDAs is for an aircraft to join the
glidepath without recourse to level flight. Where the use of CDAs are
promulgated in the appropriate AIP AD2 Section, the detailed procedure
permits the pilot to descend at a rate he judges will be best suited to the
achievement of continuous descent and thus avoid the problem described in
this report. However, no standard RTF phraseology currently exists to cover
CDA procedures and it is not clear that pilots are always aware when a CDA
procedure is being conducted. In view of the important environmental
contribution of CDAs; it would be perhaps appropriate to review this
particular aspect.

If you are positioned significantly above the glidepath at localiser
intercept, submit an MOR to permit the reasons to be investigated.

*****

Regards,

David C