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Joining the Approach

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAA significantly expanded options for aircraft to join instrument approaches, particularly for RNAV-equipped aircraft, now allowing direct clearances to Intermediate Fixes (IFs) and step-down fixes on both RNAV and conventional procedures.
  • New guidance explicitly clarifies when a procedure turn (PT) is mandatory versus not, with controllers now required to issue "straight in" clearances to waive it and outlining four specific exceptions.
  • Other updates include changes to ILS/LOC approach naming and phraseology for glideslope-unusable scenarios, and new ATC guidance for managing RF (Radius to Fix) legs within RNAV procedures.
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Controller guidance for getting an aircraft onto an approach was a hot topic at a recent Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee meeting of various organizations of pilots and airlines.

Previously, there were two basic ways to join an approach, 1) Fly the full procedure starting from a charted route, feeder route, or Initial Approach Fix (IAF); or, 2) Get vectored to the final approach course.

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