Where you are, droning along in IMC, when suddenly youre almost on top of the final approach fix and havent planned for the procedure, much less set up the cockpit. How are you going to get safely from the FAF to the runway? It doesnt really matter why you find yourself here. Maybe you spent too much time at altitude without oxygen and it suddenly dawned on you where you are and what you need to do. Maybe the right engine just committed harikari and is dangling from the wing. Maybe a passenger needs urgent medical assistance. It doesnt 288
Briefing The Slam-Dunk Approach
Where you are, droning along in IMC, when suddenly youre almost on top of the final approach fix and havent planned for the procedure, much less set up the cockpit. How are you going to get safely from the FAF to the runway? It doesnt really matter why you find yourself here. Maybe you spent too much time at altitude without oxygen and it suddenly dawned on you where you are and what you need to do. Maybe the right engine just committed harikari and is dangling from the wing. Maybe a passenger needs urgent medical assistance. It doesnt matter. The problem is youre about to shoot an approach for which you havent briefed yourself or configured the airplane. What are you going to do
Key Takeaways:
- When faced with an unprepared "slam-dunk" instrument approach, immediately focus on safely flying the aircraft and executing the procedure, setting aside distractions or self-recrimination.
- Prioritize identifying the minimum descent altitude (MDA/DA) and estimating the required descent rate to maintain a controlled descent on the final approach course.
- Actively manage heading to stay on course, adapting to wind changes, and confirm the landing plan (straight-in or circling) before reaching the minimum altitude.
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