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 article highlights a significant charting inconsistency on the KDKX LOC RWY 26 missed approach, making it difficult for pilots without IFR GPS to reliably identify the SWASO fix.
Identification of SWASO by DME is problematic due to its distance being omitted from government approach charts, requiring reference to en-route charts.
The primary issue stems from the missed approach referencing the BENFI NDB for ADF navigation to SWASO, despite evidence (via chart amendment dates) suggesting this NDB was decommissioned years ago.
This discrepancy serves as a warning for pilots to meticulously review all approach notes and verify navigation frequencies, especially when flying with older avionics, as charting data may be outdated or inconsistent.

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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.