A flying friend of mine likes to say that you know you’re into something interesting when you have to sign a waiver beforehand. In the IFR world, I tend to think of approach procedures having an alphabetical suffix, such as RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 01, the same way. Whenever you see one of these, something is probably going to be interesting about the procedure, and the tricky part is figuring out what it is.
The GPS/ILS Approach
Key Takeaways:
- Alphabetical suffixes on approach names (e.g., RNAV (GPS) Z RWY 01) indicate multiple straight-in approaches of the same type to the same runway, designed to accommodate varying aircraft equipment, performance requirements, or to optimize for different sets of minimums or missed approach climb gradients.
- Common reasons for suffixes include differentiating between GPS and RNP approaches, offering lower minimums with non-standard missed approach climb gradients versus higher minimums with standard gradients, or optimizing for LNAV versus LPV obstacle clearance requirements.
- A new "hybrid" approach design involves GPS-based routing that transitions to a conventional ILS final segment, combining GPS flexibility with ILS precision to make lower minimums accessible to more aircraft, including those without WAAS capability.
- Pilots must always thoroughly review any approach procedure with a suffix to understand its specific requirements, equipment compatibility, and implications for their flight plan and alternate planning.
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