Our IFR avionics are getting evermore capable, allowing us single-pilot fliers to shoot RNAV approaches once reserved for the big iron. While most standard satellite-based approaches have become basic fare, there are now some new notes we’re finding on the charts that require figuring out what the onboard GPS really is allowed to do. This can be an easy check in flight—does the database have it? But sometimes, the answer’s buried elsewhere in the airplane, i.e. on paper. And by the way, we’re not even on an RNAV approach today; we’re going for the good old-fashioned ILS, which is always the former but not always the latter.
Take Your Pick
Here’s an example of this kind of approach, which we can expect to see in growing numbers. You’re preparing to fly to an important meeting in Plattsburgh, New York, landing at KPBG. While waiting for the low ceilings to come up a bit, you plan for a close-tominimums day.
