Paradoxical Minimums

Monday, December 19, 2022 at 10:58 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The ILS and RNAV (GPS) approaches to Runway 30R at Rocky Mountain Metro, despite similar initial ground tracks, exhibit significant differences in their missed approach procedures and associated minimums.
A key distinction is the ILS approach's higher 240 feet/NM climb gradient requirement for its missed approach; failure to meet this dramatically increases its decision altitude and visibility minimums, a constraint not present in the GPS approach.
Additionally, the ILS missed approach's ground track is more susceptible to wind effects due to its reliance on VORs and heading legs, highlighting the critical need for pilots to meticulously review approach charts for subtle yet impactful operational details.

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Rocky Mountain Metro (KBJC, “Metro”) is an active general aviation airport located about 21 NM west of Denver International Airport (KDEN) and just outside of the westernmost north-south border of Denver Class B airspace. While the elevation of Metro is 5673 feet MSL, about 10 miles to the west, the Rocky Mountains reach altitudes of 10,000 feet MSL and higher. The airspace around Metro has several airports, some with gliding and parachuting activities. Periodically the air traffic around Metro is heavy not only because of events but because aircraft typically fly the North-South corridor between the Rockies on the west and the Denver Class B on the east side.

But … They’re the Same