Chart Wise: Truckee-Tahoe RNAV (GPS)-A

There's a unique way for a pilot to approach this mountain getaway in California.

Jason Blair

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 08:55 AM ET

Verified

Here's a look at the Truckee-Tahoe RNAV (GPS-A) approach. [Image: Jeppesen]

Key Takeaways:

Truckee-Tahoe (KTRK) Airport is surrounded by high terrain, demanding precise navigation and adherence to minimum altitudes during approaches.
Both the approach and missed approach procedures are complex and multi-sequenced, involving multiple turns and specific climb/descent profiles, with a 200-knot speed limit during missed approach climb-out to avoid terrain.
The approach is "circling only," requiring pilots to maintain significantly higher circling altitudes (1,596-1,796 feet AGL) than usual, and is strictly prohibited at night due to the associated risks.

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A trip to Lake Tahoe on the Truckee, California, side might find a pilot wanting to visit the Truckee-Tahoe (KTRK) Airport. With a relatively long, 7,001-foot runway, even with the higher field elevation of just under 6,000 feet msl, the airport is an attractive option for many flying into this mountain getaway because of its proximity to Lake Tahoe, area ski resorts, and hiking trails. That’s not to say the approach isn’t without unique considerations that make it worthy of some review.

A) Terrain All Around

The airport elevation of 5,904 feet msl doesn’t sound all that terrible until you look around and see that there are many parts of the terrain that are above 9,000 feet, especially to the west and south. The pilot needs to get established on the approach and then navigate along the course while descending between higher terrain.