Chart Wise: Angel Fire, New Mexico (KAXX) RNAV (GPS) Rwy 17

Lone instrument approach presents challenging terrain and unique procedures.

Jason Blair

Friday, January 09, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Runway at Angel Fire Airport [Credit: Spencer Hamons]

Key Takeaways:

The RNAV GPS to Runway 17 is the sole approach to Angel Fire Airport (KAXX), characterized by high terrain that keeps pilots at high altitudes during initial segments.
Pilots must be aware of a critical track change after the Final Approach Fix (FAF) and note that the approach is limited to LNAV MDA, lacking WAAS glideslope or enhanced accuracy.
The procedure requires a local altimeter setting to be flown, and the missed approach is complex, demanding a significant climb to 14,000 feet MSL with multiple turns to a GPS-based hold.

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If you are headed up into the New Mexico mountains near Angel Fire for some winter skiing or summer mountain biking or hiking, you might just find yourself flying the one and only approach the airport (KAXX) has—the RNAV GPS to Runway 17.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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