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Teaching and Learning Flying - Airplane Instrument Rating

VOR Approach


DEFINITION

VOR approach is a nonprecision instrument approach procedure with final approach course guidance provided by the VOR named in the approach title.

SAFETY FACTORS

Knowledge and skill in VOR approaches may be used to safely let down in IMC to many airports.
Safe VOR approach depends on
    Proper functioning, tuning and identification of the correct VOR
    Understanding of VOR equipment and use
    Good communication with ATC
    Proficient AIF while performing precise VOR navigation

TOLERANCES

Instrument Rating PTS (FAA-S-8081-4D)
VI.A. Nonprecision approach
To determine that the applicant:
  1. Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements related to an instrument approach procedure.
  2. Selects and complies with the appropriate instrument approach procedure to be performed.
  3. Establishes two-way communications with ATC, as appropriate to the phase of flight or approach segment, and uses proper communication phraseology and technique.
  4. Selects, tunes, identifies, and confirms the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach procedure.
  5. Complies with all clearances issued by ATC or the examiner.
  6. Recognizes if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and takes appropriate action.
  7. Advises ATC or examiner anytime that the aircraft is unable to comply with a clearance.
  8. Establishes the appropriate aircraft configuration and airspeed considering turbulence and wind shear, and completes the aircraft checklist items appropriate to the phase of flight.
  9. Maintains, prior to beginning the final approach segment, attitude within +/-100 feet, heading within +/-10° and allows less than ¾ scale deflection of the CDI or within +/-10° in the case of an RMI, and maintains airspeed within +/-10 knots.
  10. Applies the necessary adjustments to the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft category when required, such as -
      a. NOTAMs.
      b. inoperative aircraft and ground navigation equipment.
      c. inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment.
      d. NWS reporting factors and criteria.
  11. Establishes a rate of descent and track that will ensure arrival at the MDA prior to reaching the MAP with the aircraft continuously in a position from which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate using normal maneuvers.
  12. Allows, while on the final approach segment, no more than a ¾-scale deflection of the CDI or within +/-10° in case of an RMI, and maintains airspeed within +/-10 knots of that desired.
  13. Maintains the MDA, when reached, within +100 feet, -0 feet to the MAP.
  14. Executes the missed approach procedure when the required visual references for the intended runway are not distinctly visible and identifiable at the MAP.
  15. Executes a normal landing from a straight-in or circling approach when instructed by the examiner.
VI. C. Missed approach
To determine that the applicant:
  1. Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements related to missed approach procedures associated with standard instrument approaches.
  2. Initiates the missed approach promptly by applying power, establishing a climb attitude, and reducing drag in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer's recommendations.
  3. Reports to ATC beginning the missed approach procedure.
  4. Complies with the published or alternate missed approach procedure.
  5. Advises ATC or examiner anytime that the aircraft is unable to comply with a clearance, restriction, or climb gradient.
  6. Follows the recommended checklist items appropriate to the go-around procedure.
  7. Requests, if appropriate, ATC clearance to the alternate airport, clearance limit, or as directed by the examiner.
  8. Maintains the recommended airspeed within +/-10 knots; heading, course, or bearing within +/-10°; and altitude(s) within +/-100 feet during the missed approach procedure.

OBJECTIVES

Encourage mastery of understanding and performance of VOR approaches
Develop student knowledge and skill in VOR approaches to meet the Instrument Pilot PTS

PROCEDURES

Preflight
Discuss
  • Review VOR operational use
  • Selection of correct IAP chart
  • Pertinent information on the selected instrument approach chart
    • Title
    • Minimum safe/sector altitude (MSA)
    • Communications frequencies
    • Plan view
    • Profile view
    • Minimums section
    • Airport diagram
    • New NACO IAP charts
    • Memorize
      1. MDA (How low?)
      2. Time from FAF to MAP (How long?)
      3. Final approach course (Which way? or Which way in?)
      4. First part of missed approach procedure (Which way out?)
  • Radio communication with ATC and compliance with ATC clearances, instructions and procedures
  • Appropriate aircraft configurations, airspeed and checklist items
  • Selection, tuning, identification and determination of operational status of ground and aircraft navigation equipment
  • Adjustments applied to the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category
  • Factors that should be considered in determining whether
    • The approach should be continued straight-in to a landing
    • A circling approach to a landing should be made
    • A missed approach should be performed
  • Missed approach procedure
Inflight
  • Demonstrate
  • Coach student practice
    • Maintenance of altitude, airspeed and track, where applicable
        1) Beginning prior to FAF, maintain
          a) Altitude +/- 100 feet (aim for +/- 20 feet)
          b) Heading +/- 10° with stable wind drift correction (aim for +/- 2°)
          c) Airspeed +/- 10 knots (aim for +/- 2 knots)
          d) CDI less that ¾-scale deflection (aim for < 1 dot)
        2) Maintain MDA +100 feet, -0 feet to MAP
        3) C-TR182: maintain approach airspeed, 100 KIAS, during missed approach climb
    • Establishment and maintenance of an appropriate rate of descent during the final approach segment
        1) Establish rate of descent and track that will ensure arrival at MDA prior to reaching the MAP with airplane continuously in a position from which descent to a landing can be made at a normal rate using normal maneuvers
        2) C-TR182: expeditious constant airspeed (100 knots) descent at 800-1000 fpm to allow more time at MDA to see runway environment
        3) FAA recommends using visual descent angle (VDA), when available, to calculate desired constant airspeed rate of descent (e.g., VDA 3.00° and 100 KIAS => 538 fpm)
Postflight
  • Critique student performance

COMMON ERRORS

  • Failure to have essential knowledge of the information on the instrument approach chart
      1) Plan ahead
      2) Know approach(es) to expect (ATC, ATIS)
      3) Study, record, memorize key data in advance
        How low? How long? How far? Which way?
      4) Use PC or simulator to practice flying approaches to destinations of upcoming flights
  • Incorrect communications procedures or noncompliance with ATC clearances or instructions
      If cannot comply, request amendment
  • Failure to accomplish checklist items
      1) Start before landing checklist on initial approach segment or on initial vectors for approach
      2) Complete before landing checklist at FAF (gear down)
  • Faulty basic instrument flying technic
      May be due to cockpit disorganization and increased workload
  • Inappropriate descent below the MDA
      1) May indicate inadequate speed of cross-check and interpretation during high workload time
      2) Add 50 foot (or more) buffer above MDA, especially in turbulence
References

Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: