Our first IFR cross-country trip: NY-MI-IL-MI-NY

"Longworth" wrote in message
ups.com...
Trip to Michigan and Illinois, June 29 - July 4, 2005 Rick & Hai
Longworth

Thanks for the write-up. Fun to ride along vicariously.

One minor nit...

[...] It was very straightforward - overtop the
Cory NDB and outbound to a procedure turn then almost straight in to
the NDB just short of the runway, MAP = 2400 feet.

and...

[...] Checking the Jamestown ATIS for and altimeter setting, we heard
"ceiling 500"! I glanced back at the NDB approach on my lapboard.
MAP 653 feet!

I believe you meant to write "MDA" rather than "MAP". The "missed approach
point" is a particular point along the approach, and is where you initiate
your missed approach procedure if you are not in a position to land.

The "minimum descent altitude" is the lowest altitude you may descend to
while flying a non-precision approach. You may or may not be at the MDA
when arriving at the MAP, but you'll still be required to initiate your
missed approach procedure even if higher than the MDA. Likewise, you may
wind up descending to the MDA well before arriving at the MAP.

On a precision approach, the MAP is defined as an altitude, but that
altitude is called the "decision height", not the MDA.

Pete