From TOD, To MAP And Beyond

Your instrument training was all about the physical tasks of flying approaches, missed approaches and holds. Your CFII didn’t spend a lot of time on en route descents, or an efficient way to get prepared for those close-in, “slam-dunk” procedures...you’d pick up all that with experience flying “in the system” after passing your instrument check ride. At least that was the unspoken understanding. Trouble is, you’ve been flying IFR for a while, even completing a couple of instrument proficiency checks since passing the practical test, but those quick IPCs focused on the same terminal procedures you’ve been flying since your instrument training began, and you’re starting to wonder if there’s an easier, more efficient, better way to get from cruise altitude to the ground.

Tom Turner

Monday, April 22, 2013 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Instrument training for general aviation pilots often lacks focus on efficient en route descents, leading to inefficient "made-up" methods for transitioning from cruise to approach.
Pilots should adopt the "Top of Descent" (TOD) concept, using GPS or manual calculations, to plan smooth and timely descents from cruise altitude to the initial approach fix.
For approach execution, it is crucial to pre-brief and commit to memory three critical items: minimum approach altitude, distances from the Final Approach Fix (FAF) to the Missed Approach Point (MAP), and the initial missed approach direction and altitude (ADM), to reduce workload and focus on flying the procedure.

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Trouble is, you’ve been flying IFR for a while, even completing a couple of instrument proficiency checks since passing the practical test, but those quick IPCs focused on the same terminal procedures you’ve been flying since your instrument training began, and you’re starting to wonder if there’s an easier, more efficient, better way to get from cruise altitude to the ground. The made-up-as-you-go method you’ve come up with in the absence of an IFR internship like the corporate and airline pilots get early in their careers just isn’t getting it done for you anymore.