Tale of Two Approaches

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Monday, August 15, 2022 at 09:13 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

San Luis Obispo (KSBP) Airport features unique, separately charted ILS and LOC approaches to Runway 11, both significantly influenced by surrounding mountainous terrain which affects circling restrictions, step-down fixes, and missed approach procedures.
KSBP has non-standard alternate minimums, notably prohibiting the use of its ILS and LOC approaches as alternates when the tower is closed, unlike its RNAV approaches, further complicated by part-time ATC facilities.
The LOC approach at KSBP requires dual VOR receivers or GPS for identifying specific step-down fixes (like HASBY) to achieve lower minimums, and its missed approach procedure differs significantly from the ILS due to terrain and starting altitude.
Pilots are advised to meticulously study all available charts (sectional, enroute, chart supplement) and local terrain when flying to new airports, especially those in mountainous regions, to understand unique operational considerations.

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According to recent FAA statistics, there are approximately 1292 “plain vanilla” ILS approaches that are designed to Cat I minimums—usually a DH of 200 feet AGL and visibility of ½ SM. This excludes Cat II and III and Cat I ILS approaches requiring Special Authorization. Most ILS Cat I approaches also provide minimums for a LOC approach designed to an MDH. Usually, Circling Minimums, also designed to an MDH, are provided.

While there are 1349 approaches with LOC minimums, we can conclude that roughly 57 approaches are LOC only. Excluded are Localizer Directional Aid (LDA) approaches and other LOC-BC, LOC/DME, LOC/DME BC approaches.