Missed the Memo

It started with an email question: How do you identify SWASO on the missed approach at Knoxville Downtown Island (KDKX) LOC RWY 26 approach? A quick glance says, Duh, its an intersection, but a closer inspection says its not that simple. The identification of SWASO on this approach chart omits a few critical details-enough that if you still dont have an IFR GPS, you might find yourself at a loss.

jwanwest

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The missed approach procedure for KDKX LOC RWY 26 presents significant navigation challenges, particularly for pilots without IFR GPS.
Identification of the SWASO fix is complicated by the omission of DME distance on government charts and its reliance on a decommissioned NDB at BENFI for ADF navigation.
This discrepancy highlights an outdated chart, emphasizing the critical need for pilots to meticulously verify all navigation data and equipment requirements, especially when using legacy avionics.

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It’s the writer in me that can’t resist playing with words. That’s why I can’t decide if this clinic’s title should be as you read it or, “Missed, the Memo,” as in a long treatise about the missed approach. Because that’s what’s odd here, and I’ll admit I didn’t see it until someone else waved the WTF flag.

It started with an email question: How do you identify SWASO on the missed approach at Knoxville Downtown Island (KDKX) LOC RWY 26 approach? A quick glance says, “Duh, it’s an intersection,” but a closer inspection says it’s not that simple. The identification of SWASO on this approach chart omits a few critical details—enough that if you still don’t have an IFR GPS, you might find yourself at a loss.