Commencing a GPS approach from a fix other than the FAF

"Sam Spade" wrote in message
...
Roy Smith wrote:


It ATC is allowed to send you direct to an IF, then the distinction
between IF and IAF has, for all practical matters, been eliminated. If
that's the case, then the databases and/or software needs to be updated
to have the IFs show up in the menu.

It will take quite a few years for the FAA to identify all the IFs.
Direct-to-the IF is not an "if" for RNAV IAPs. ;-)

It's been in the AIM and 7110.65 for about a year now.

What's to identify? If it is not an IAF, and not the FAF, and is on an
intermediate segment, it is an IF. Why does it need to be "identified"?

PCG:

INTERMEDIATE FIX- The fix that identifies the beginning of the intermediate
approach segment of an instrument approach procedure. The fix is not
normally identified on the instrument approach chart as an intermediate fix
(IF).

Intermediate Approach- The segment between the intermediate fix or point and
the final approach fix.

(Is that circular, or what?)