Established on the approach - Checkride question

"Ron Natalie" wrote in message
. ..

I think his point was just becuase you are on the localizer doesn't
mean you're on the published approach (and allowed to descend).


His points seem to change as he's asked questions about them. His statement
that I queried was; "Yes, it is. Still, sometimes we get 'until established
on the localizer', but it has the same meaning as 'established on the
approach'. ATC just doesn't understand the difference." The question I
asked was; "Assuming that you're being vectored to a localizer, what is the
difference?" Obviously, if what you're being vectored to on the approach is
a localizer there's no difference at all. His answer; "Because the
localizer extends out *much* further than does the intermediate segment."
made no sense at all. When one is being vectored to a localizer one is
generally being vectored to the intermediate segment.



Is ATC prohibited form vectoring you farther out on the localizer than the
approach begins?


There is no such prohibition. If the vector will have the aircraft join
beyond a published segment an altitude to maintain to a specific fix must be
issued with the approach clearance, or the approach clearance must be
withheld until the aircraft is on a published segment.

His answer; "Because the
localizer extends out *much* further than
does the intermediate segment."
made no sense at all.


I've been enroute to DXR and been vectored to follow the localizer in while 25
miles away. I'm clearly not on an "approach segment" and just using the
localizer for enroute course guidance. (I was also not cleard for the approach
at that point)


If the vector will have the aircraft join
beyond a published segment an altitude to maintain to a specific fix must be
issued with the approach clearance, or the approach clearance must be
withheld until the aircraft is on a published segment.


That's what happened in my case.

Jose





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