On Wed, 20 Dec 2006 11:50:26 +0000, Peter wrote:

This is the reg which prevents flying instrument approaches unless it
is a published one.

In the UK, this is not illegal (on G-reg aircraft). But then we don't
get the radar services here, etc.

In the USA, there are GPS approaches, and there are many more
instrument approaches anyway.

At the *practical* level, I am curious to what extent the FAA enforces
this regulation. I suppose this question is relevant only in the
context of airports which don't have a published IAP - I don't know
what % this is in the USA.

I don't know about how vigorously violations of the rule are sought out.
But I believe that if a violation came to the attention of the FAA, it
would be pursued. 91.175, of course, is concerned with many more issues
than just the existence of a published IAP. And it does allow the use of
private IAP's under certain circumstances.

I'm surprised that you can devise your own IAP's in GB without oversight.

Pilots tend to fly descents using a GPS, etc.

I generally use changes in power, airspeed and a/c configuration to fly a
descent g. I've not found any GPS control that accomplishes this.

In the US, there is always a minimum altitude to which you can descend
under IFR, even without an IAP. It may be as low as 1000' AGL. This can be
useful in landing at airports with no published IAP.
Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)