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CFI Instrument Practical Test Standards, FAA-S-8081-9B, June 2001

II. Technical Subject Areas

C. Regulations and Publications Related to IFR Operations

    8. Standard Instrument Approach Procedure Charts (IAPs)
      a. IAPs satisfy US Standard for Terminal Instrument Approach Procedures (TERPs) criteria and provide the method to descend and land safely in low visibility condtions
      b. IAP chart elements
        1) Margin identification (top and bottom margins)
          a) Chart reference number and approval authority
          b) Amendment status, effective date (00123 = 123rd day of 2000)
          c) Name of city, airport
          d) Approach name
            i) Derived from type(s) of NAVAID(s) providing guidance for (and thus needed to fly) the final approach course
            • "/" => both required (VOR/DME RWY 6)
            • "or" => either OK (VOR or GPS RWY 24)
            ii) Includes runway number if final approach course within 30° of that runway, e.g. VOR RWY 23 (otherwise name includes a letter starting with A, as in VOR A)
            iii) Parallel runways distinguished by R, L, or C as in ILS 24R and ILS 24L
            iv) Multiple same-type approaches to one runway distinguished by letter starting with Z (ILS Z RWY 4 and ILS Y RWY 4)
        2) Plan view
          a) Graphic overhead depiction
          b) Elements defined in legend in section G in front part of TPP booklets
          Planview Symbols
        3) Profile view
          a) Side view depicting altitudes, headings, distances, fixes
          b) Elements defined in legend in section H in front part of TPP booklets
          Profile view
        4) Minimum and notes section
          a) Lowest altitude and visibility requirements
          minimums
          b) Procedural notes
        5) Airport diagram
          a) Sketch of airport
          airport diagram
          b) Approach lighting
          airport lighting
        6) RNAV IAP charts
          a) IAP charts are being converted to RNAV IAP chart format
          b) Key information, including communication frequencies and MAP, in boxes near top of IAP
          ILS
          c) RNAV minima
          RNAV minima
          c) Terminology
            i) DA (decision altitude) replaces DH (decision height)
            ii) MDA (minimum descent altitude) for LNAV only and circling
            iii) TCH (threshold crossing height) applies to height of "descent angle" or glidepath at runway threshold
      c. IAPs are published in the US Terminal Procedures publication booklets (TPPs) every 56 days (8 weeks) with mid-cycle revisions ("Change Notices") by the NACO of the FAA; and are available online on the NACO website
      d. US military IAPs are published by the DOD
      e. Special IAPs may be approved by the FAA for use by specific individual operators

    References
      Instrument Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-15, 2001
      AIM
      NACO TPPs
Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: