Chart Wise: Chattanooga ILS or LOC RWY 2

The approach to KCHA holds a few less common things to watch out for.

Thursday, September 08, 2022 at 09:22 AM ET

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With outdoor activities plentiful and a thriving downtown city scene, who wouldn't want to fly themselves to Chattanooga? [Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The ILS or LOC to Runway 2 at Lovell Field (KCHA) includes features like an NDB for establishment or missed approach (identifiable by ADF or IFR-certified GPS) and an optional DME arc for initial approach.
The final approach path for this ILS/LOC does not provide DME, meaning GPS is required for distance reporting, or a timer from the Final Approach Fix (FAF) for localizer approaches to identify the Missed Approach Point (MAP).
The Choo Choo VOR, currently crucial for this approach (e.g., DME arc, FAF identification), is not part of the FAA's future minimum operational network and will be decommissioned, necessitating future changes to the approach and increasing reliance on GPS.

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Nestled on the western end of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga allows you to take advantage of plentiful outdoors activities while still having the opportunity to visit some great city options. As a pilot, who wouldn’t want to fly themselves there, right?

If you choose to do so, one approach you might use is the ILS or LOC to Runway 2 at Lovell Field (KCHA). The approach holds a few less-common features to watch for as you fly in. This approach is an example of many around the U.S. that are changing as VORs are decommissioned. Keep an eye out for these at other approaches you fly.