Chart Wise: Newport News/Williamsburg, Virginia, LOC Rwy 20

This approach could be necessary when rain or clouds are present off the ocean.

Jason Blair

Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (KPHF) Runway 20 [Courtesy: News/Williamsburg International Airport Instagram]

Key Takeaways:

The KPHF LOC Runway 20 is a nonprecision approach, often utilized in cloudy or rainy conditions, which allows pilots to use feeder routes from HCM or CCV VORs for direct entry to an IAF, bypassing procedure turns.
This approach requires DME or a suitable GPS to identify the Final Approach Fix (FAF) and the Missed Approach Point (MAP), reaching a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) rather than a Decision Altitude (DA) due to the absence of a glideslope.
The missed approach procedure directs pilots straight ahead to 2,000 feet before making a right turn direct to the HCM VORTAC for holding, which conveniently places them at an Initial Approach Fix (IAF) for subsequent attempts.

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Visiting the historic triangle area of Virginia near Newport News, Williamsburg, or Yorktown offers the opportunity to fly into Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (KPHF). With frequent rainy or cloudy conditions off of the ocean during some seasons, flying the LOC Runway 20 approach might be needed.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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