Chart Wise: New Orleans VOR DME 36L (KNEW)

A good GPS navigation system would help a lot on this Louisiana approach.

Jason Blair

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 09:28 AM ET

Verified

Here's a look at the approach to Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans. [Image: Jeppesen]

Key Takeaways:

The VOR DME Runway 36L approach to Lakefront Airport (KNEW) is intricate, mandating DME for all step-down fixes and the missed approach point, with an IFR GPS navigator highly recommended to simplify tracking.
Pilots must adhere to specific restrictions when initiating the approach from the Harvey (HRV) VOR Initial Approach Fix (IAF) to ensure safe entry.
Both the step-down procedures and the missed approach are complex, requiring precise DME tracking and a switch between multiple VORs (HRV, RQR, and potentially PCU) for proper execution.

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A pilot traveling to New Orleans might choose to avoid the business commercial airport to the west and instead fly into Lakefront Airport (KNEW) to be closer to downtown. Doing so, it might become useful to approach the airport via the VOR DME Runway 36L approach.

For what looks like a pretty straightforward VOR approach at first glance, there is a lot going on here that might trip up a pilot—and using a solid IFR GPS navigator would help significantly.