Two Up, Two Down

jwanwest

Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 06:54 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The article details complex IFR departure and approach procedures at Kingston (20N) and Montague (KSIY) that deviate significantly from standard GPS/LPV approaches.
Thorough pre-flight briefing is crucial to identify "gotchas" such as non-standard ODP interpretations, unusual weather acquisition methods, offset final approach courses, and arrival holds not for procedure turns.
Effective GPS utilization, including OBS mode for NDB tracking and understanding advisory vertical guidance, is key, but pilots must be aware of its limitations and know when to adapt to specific procedure requirements (e.g., managing steep descents or unique circling patterns).
Pilots must exercise sound decision-making and maintain high situational awareness for non-precision approaches, especially regarding descent profiles, landing strategies (straight-in vs. circling), and potential diversions, even when conditions are barely at minimums.

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You can fly a lot of IFR these days without encountering anything but GPS approaches with LPV minimums. In this challenge, you’ll fly departures and approaches at two airports where the procedures required are anything but standard. Better brief them well so the gotchas don’t getcha.

Use whatever airplane you like for this challenge, as long as it has a GPS. A WAAS GPS would be even better. Just be sure it’s something you can stay ahead of when things change in a hurry.