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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is
it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. |
#2
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
Terence Wilson wrote:
When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. |
#3
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:01:14 -0800, Sam Spade
wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Sam, I think you asked me that question before and I answered . I'm a RW instrument student. |
#4
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
"Terence Wilson" wrote in message
... On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:01:14 -0800, Sam Spade wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Sam, I think you asked me that question before and I answered . I'm a RW instrument student. The step down altitudes are shown on the IAP. You should try to get down to that altitude as soon as practical so that you can stop the altitude descent and start concentrating on looking for the airport. You do realize that except for this case (VOR at FAF) in the last few seconds as you cross over the VOR, if you get a full deflected CDI, it's time for missed approach. Just a final thought. There is no legal requirement to descend at all. You could stay at the initial altitude until you reach the MAP and then circle down. You might no see the airport though. The only reason I would think you might keep this in mind is if you had an emergency situation and wanted to hold on to altitude as long as possible (very rough engine). You would just give up altitude as you felt safe. BobF. |
#5
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
Terence Wilson wrote:
On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:01:14 -0800, Sam Spade wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Sam, I think you asked me that question before and I answered . I'm a RW instrument student. Forgive me my lousy memory. I figured your CFI-I would have covered this by now. When the two-from indicator indicated "from," you should turn to the appropriate heading and begin descent at that time. You are effectively on-course because you are over the station where the courses are very, very small. Sort of like lines of longitude at the North Pole. |
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:24:39 -0800, Sam Spade
wrote: Forgive me my lousy memory. I figured your CFI-I would have covered this by now. I'm sure he did, but I'm empty-headed and it's just as easy to check here rather than wait for my next lesson. Thanks for the info. |
#7
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:24:39 -0800, Sam Spade
wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:01:14 -0800, Sam Spade wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Sam, I think you asked me that question before and I answered . I'm a RW instrument student. Forgive me my lousy memory. I figured your CFI-I would have covered this by now. When the two-from indicator indicated "from," you should turn to the appropriate heading and begin descent at that time. You are effectively on-course because you are over the station where the courses are very, very small. Sort of like lines of longitude at the North Pole. Now, the question is, when you are 2 miles from the VOR and the needle still has not moved (because of bad navigation, winds, whatever),and you have descended xhundred feet, what do you do? Are you going back up? Probably not. Starting down without at least some indication that the needle is moving back towards center can very well be the beginning of the pernicious and well-known accident chain. Don't do it. |
#8
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
Les Izmore wrote:
On Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:24:39 -0800, Sam Spade wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:01:14 -0800, Sam Spade wrote: Terence Wilson wrote: When flying a VOR approach in which the FAF is defined by the VOR, is it appropriate to start the descent to the MAP, or next stepdown, immediately after overflying the VOR or should I wait until I have positive course guidance for the final approach segment? I ask because it can sometimes take 1-2nm for the CDI to move, which may require a rushed descent to the MAP on some approaches. Are you a simulator only pilot? I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Sam, I think you asked me that question before and I answered . I'm a RW instrument student. Forgive me my lousy memory. I figured your CFI-I would have covered this by now. When the two-from indicator indicated "from," you should turn to the appropriate heading and begin descent at that time. You are effectively on-course because you are over the station where the courses are very, very small. Sort of like lines of longitude at the North Pole. Now, the question is, when you are 2 miles from the VOR and the needle still has not moved (because of bad navigation, winds, whatever),and you have descended xhundred feet, what do you do? Are you going back up? Probably not. Starting down without at least some indication that the needle is moving back towards center can very well be the beginning of the pernicious and well-known accident chain. Don't do it. That would represent issues of lack of competency to be 2 miles from the station and not have a needle moving back towards center. In fact the needle should be moving back towards center far sooner than that. |
#9
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
Sam Spade wrote:
I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Do you think that every instrument instructor has the knowledge to provide informed opinions on subjects like these? |
#10
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VOR approach- when to descend from the FAF
Greg Esres wrote:
Sam Spade wrote: I ask, because that is a question that would be answered during instrument training. Do you think that every instrument instructor has the knowledge to provide informed opinions on subjects like these? No, but the good ones know. |
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