ILS Z or LOC Z Rwy 19 Jackson, Wyoming

An approach to a mountain town replete with high-altitude hazards.

Jason Blair

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 02:09 PM ET

Verified

Reproduced with permission of Jeppesen. Not for navigational use.

Key Takeaways:

Approaching Jackson, Wyoming (Jackson Hole Airport) is highly challenging due to severe surrounding high terrain, demanding strict adherence to all altitude and course restrictions.
Pilots must navigate complex turns from initial fixes to the final approach, use the correct localizer-based DME for accurate distances, and be prepared for demanding navigation transitions.
Missed approach procedures are critical, requiring a specific "feet per nautical mile" climb gradient that necessitates prior calculation from aircraft performance charts, along with a precise navigation source switch.
Minimum Safe Altitudes (MSAs) around the airport are exceptionally high (up to 14,900 ft), reflecting the extreme terrain and potentially limiting emergency options for some aircraft.

See a mistake? Contact us.

A destination in both the summer and winter, Jackson, Wyoming, is a city growing in its attraction and its aviation activity. With lots of high terrain around, an approach into this airport requires a pilot to closely follow altitude restrictions, especially if a missed approach becomes necessary.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

If you're not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the issue as soon as it is released in either Print or Digital formats.