Non-Precision, NA?

Given a choice, chances are a pilot will pick a vertically guided approach over a non-precision approach. Theyre easier to fly and the minimums are almost always lower. From a design perspective they also afford stricter obstacle clearance assurances. Whats not to love? Thats probably what the thought process was like that nearly led to a significant portion of non-precision approaches being cancelled or severely restricted in late 2017. …

Editorial Staff

Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA proposed applying stricter vertical guidance obstacle clearance criteria (VGS) to non-precision approaches, which nearly led to the cancellation or severe restriction of many such procedures.
This proposed change, intended to increase the number of runways qualifying for safer vertically guided approaches, would have disproportionately impacted airports reliant on non-precision approaches that cannot meet the new criteria.
A key distinction is that vertically guided approaches offer obstacle protection below the Decision Altitude (DA), whereas non-precision approaches (MDA) rely on visual avoidance, a difference sometimes blurred by advisory vertical guidance that can mislead pilots.
Due to significant stakeholder pushback and potential widespread negative impact, the FAA indefinitely delayed the application of VGS to non-precision approaches, emphasizing the need for comprehensive consideration of utility, pilot training, and risk management.

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Given a choice, chances are a pilot will pick a vertically guided approach over a non-precision approach. They’re easier to fly and the minimums are almost always lower. From a design perspective they also afford stricter obstacle clearance assurances. What’s not to love? That’s probably what the thought process was like that nearly led to a significant portion of non-precision approaches being cancelled or severely restricted in late 2017.

They’re technically still on the chopping block; although due to the significance of the impact they were granted an indefinite stay of execution until further study can be conducted. The motivation for this change is the FAA’s stated near-term priority to define flight-procedure criteria to increase the number of runways qualifying for vertically guided approaches—clearly a worthwhile goal. However, to jeopardize many non-precision approaches at the same time seems potentially misguided.