![A general aviation airplane in the Moab, Utah, area [Credit: Redtail Air Adventures/Alice Gubler]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/Canyonlands-Chart-Wise.jpeg?width=713&height=500)
The close proximity to Canyonlands National Park might just be reason enough for a pilot to choose Canyonlands Regional Airport (KCNY) near Moab, Utah, as a next destination. If the conditions were less than VFR, they would be left with a choice of approaches that includes an RNAV GPS RWY 3 and a VOR-A. Let’s go old school on this one and dig into the VOR-A.
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A) Restricted Area to the West
R-6413 sits just to the west of the approach area, and if active, it would need to be considered when flying this approach. This restricted area starts at the surface and goes up to “unlimited” altitudes. A note indicates that this approach is “NA” (not authorized) when R-6413 is in operation since the published procedure turn would take a pilot into the area.
B) DME (or IFR GPS) Required
The approach notes indicate “DME required” for this approach. So, while the title of the procedure doesn’t immediately cue a pilot in that they cannot do with just an old-school VOR, the note does. An IFR-capable GPS (with a current database) or traditional DME equipment will be required for portions of this approach, such as identifying the THOWL waypoint that is 6 DME from the OAB VOR for the FAF.
C) Establishing on to the Approach
A pilot might choose to get established on this approach by using the OAB VOR as an initial approach point. But there is another hint on this approach that might be of use. You can also see the “ARCHH” waypoint note to the east of the airport with an arrow pointing toward the OAB VOR. This is an indication that the waypoint is a point along a Victor airway in this case and from which a pilot might transition off the Victor to the OAB VOR to start the approach. If you look at a low-altitude en-route chart, you will find this along “V8,” where a pilot would have a minimum en route altitude (MEA) of 10,000 feet msl. If they had been flying from the Grand Junction, Colorado, VOR (JNC) southwest bound along the 232 radial, this point could be used to then transition to the OAB VOR and get established on the approach.
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D) PT Then Inbound
After crossing the OAB VOR, the pilot will head outbound on a 298-degree track. After passing the THOWL waypoint outbound, the pilot may descend to 7,600 feet and will execute a procedure turn (PT) while remaining within 10 nm. Once inbound, they can then descend to 7,100 feet msl until they have again passed the THOWL waypoint.
E) Not Straight In
An “Alpha” approach, the VOR-A in the title, is an indication that it is not a specific runway.
This particular procedure approaches the airport on a 118-degree inbound track that can be found in the lower-right airport diagram to approach roughly midfield from the northwest to the airport. A pilot will need to circle to land from this approach. Note that circling is not authorized to Runway 15/33 (the little runway).
F) Missed at the VOR
The missed approach point in this procedure is very simple: It is passage of the VOR. So be watching that DME countdown and wait for the VOR To/From flag to flip for an official missed approach point. If you are getting close and don’t see the airport environment for the circle yet, you might be getting ready for that missed approach procedure a little early to be safe in this area with significant amounts of high terrain.
This column first appeared in the November Issue 964 of the FLYING print edition.
