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JFK’s Canarsie Approach

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canarsie "VOR or GPS RWY 13L/R" approach at JFK is historically unique, characterized by an approximate 90-degree difference between its final approach course and runway headings, requiring a special waiver, and was developed in the late 1950s for jet aircraft to improve efficiency and reduce noise.
  • It functions as an overlay approach (using VOR or GPS) and becomes a visual maneuver after the missed approach point (MAP), relying heavily on a series of Runway Lead-In Light Systems (RLLS) for guidance to either Runway 13L or 13R.
  • Alternative procedures exist, including the Parkway Visual, a Charted Visual Flight Procedure (CVFP) requiring specific VMC conditions and familiarity with visual landmarks, and newer RNAV (GPS) Z approaches for Runways 13L/R introduced in 2021.
See a mistake? Contact us.

At first look, the title VOR or GPS RWY 13L/R approach [A] presumes a straight-in approach to two runways or that the final approach course alignment is 30 degrees or less to the runways. But look again. There is approximately a 90-degree difference between the final approach course and the runway headings; it is neither a circling approach nor a side-step maneuver. There are also 3.6 NM and 2.6 NM visual segments [B] from the missed approach point (MAP) to Runway 13L and Runway 13R, respectively.

Because Canarsie does not meet straight-in approach requirements, a max change of direction of 30 degrees or less, and it is not a circle-to-land approach (CTL, with only circling mins), and it mentions both L and R on the same chart, a waiver was required for the somewhat ambiguous title. Even an FAA rep mentioned to me: “It is definitely unique!”

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