Where you are, droning along in IMC, when suddenly youre almost on top of the final approach fix and havent planned for the procedure, much less set up the cockpit. How are you going to get safely from the FAF to the runway? It doesnt really matter why you find yourself here. Maybe you spent too much time at altitude without oxygen and it suddenly dawned on you where you are and what you need to do. Maybe the right engine just committed harikari and is dangling from the wing. Maybe a passenger needs urgent medical assistance. It doesnt 288
Briefing The Slam-Dunk Approach
Where you are, droning along in IMC, when suddenly youre almost on top of the final approach fix and havent planned for the procedure, much less set up the cockpit. How are you going to get safely from the FAF to the runway? It doesnt really matter why you find yourself here. Maybe you spent too much time at altitude without oxygen and it suddenly dawned on you where you are and what you need to do. Maybe the right engine just committed harikari and is dangling from the wing. Maybe a passenger needs urgent medical assistance. It doesnt matter. The problem is youre about to shoot an approach for which you havent briefed yourself or configured the airplane. What are you going to do
Key Takeaways:
- When unexpectedly unprepared for an IMC approach, prioritize flying the aircraft safely to the runway, setting aside distractions or self-recrimination.
- Immediately identify critical information: the minimum descent altitude (MDA/DA), estimate the necessary descent rate, and focus on maintaining accurate course guidance down the final approach.
- Before reaching minimums, determine whether a straight-in landing or a circling approach is required, adapting to conditions to ensure a safe touchdown.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
