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

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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 deceptively complex, explicitly requiring DME from the Harvey (HRV) VOR for all step-down fixes and the missed approach point.
Navigating the approach involves intricate step-down procedures based on DME, with specific rules for initial approach and descent that can be easily misinterpreted.
The missed approach procedure is particularly challenging, requiring a transition between multiple VORs (HRV, RQR) and precise radial intercepts without clear DME points for turns, making a solid IFR GPS navigator highly beneficial.

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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.