Prepare for: Non-Precision Approaches
Approaches with lateral guidance only (like VOR or LNAV) down to an MDA.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Brief the approach: frequencies, courses, altitudes, MDA, missed approach point and procedure.
- Maintain the published altitudes and course within ¾-scale CDI.
- Descend to the MDA, staying no lower than MDA and no more than 100 ft above it.
- At the MAP or VDP, land only if the required visual references are in sight; otherwise fly the missed approach.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Instrument Rating ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8C)Task IR.VI.A · Non-precision Approach
- Accomplish the non-precision instrument approaches selected by the evaluator.
- Establish two-way communications with air traffic control (ATC) appropriate for the phase of flight or approach segment, and use proper communication phraseology.
- Select, tune, identify, and confirm the operational status of navigation equipment to be used for the approach.
- Comply with all clearances issued by ATC or the evaluator.
- Recognize if any flight instrumentation is inaccurate or inoperative, and take appropriate action.
- Advise ATC or the evaluator if unable to comply with a clearance.
- Complete the appropriate checklist(s).
- Establish the appropriate aircraft configuration and airspeed considering meteorological and operating conditions.
- Maintain altitude ±100 feet, selected heading ±10°, airspeed ±10 knots, no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, and accurately track radials, courses, or bearings, prior to beginning the final approach segment.
- Adjust the published MDA and visibility criteria for the aircraft approach category, as appropriate, for factors that include Notices of Air Missions (NOTAMs), inoperative aircraft or navigation equipment, or inoperative visual aids associated with the landing environment, etc.
- Establish a stabilized descent to the appropriate altitude.
- For the final approach segment, maintain no more than ¾ scale CDI deflection, airspeed ±10 knots, and altitude, if applicable, above MDA +100/-0 feet to the Visual Descent Point (VDP) or missed approach point (MAP).
- Assess if the required visual references are available, and either initiate the missed approach procedure or continue for landing.
- Use a multi-function display (MFD) and other graphical navigation displays, if installed, to monitor position, track wind drift, and to maintain situational awareness.
- Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Brief a real approach plate for your training airport.
- Know the difference between MDA and DA.
Common mistakes
- Descending below MDA without visual references.
- Losing track of the missed approach point.
Questions to ask your instructor
- Which approaches will we fly most?
- Do you want 'dive and drive' or a constant descent?
Check yourself
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