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:

The Truckee-Tahoe (KTRK) Airport approach is challenging due to high surrounding terrain, requiring a complex, multi-turn descent path with precise navigation and altitude management.
It is an "-A" approach, necessitating circling maneuvers at higher-than-usual altitudes (1,596 ft AGL or more) to land, and is strictly prohibited for night operations.
The missed approach procedure is intricate, involving a multi-sequence climb and turn to 12,000 ft msl with a critical 200-knot speed restriction to ensure terrain clearance.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.