No-arrival sectors

What is it with arbitrary rules and aviation? Like how some security Ph.D. determined that a quart bag of three-ounce containers dont constitute a security threat but a single quart of Pepsi does. Maybe they think terrorists arent smart enough to pool their resources. Or maybe the TSA brass just has something against soft drinks.

Editorial Staff

Friday, August 01, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aviation instrument approach rules, such as "Not Approved" (NA) sectors on VOR approaches, often appear arbitrary and overly complex to pilots.
The "NA" restriction on approaches like Aiken's VOR/DME-A prohibits pilots from self-initiating the approach from specific airway radials.
This restriction stems from modern TERPS (Terminal Instrument Procedures) standards, which dictate forbidding approaches from sectors that would require a Procedure Turn (PT) if ample other arrival options exist, rather than charting the PT.
Inconsistencies exist with older approaches that lack these "NA" restrictions, highlighting how evolving regulatory standards create seemingly arbitrary differences in similar procedures that are not deemed safety-critical.

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Another tale from the land of aviation compromise, where trying to dot every “i” wipes some of the “t”s right off the page. Ah, progress.

What is it with arbitrary rules and aviation? Like how some security Ph.D. determined that a quart bag of three-ounce containers don’t constitute a security threat but a single quart of Pepsi does. Maybe they think terrorists aren’t smart enough to pool their resources. Or maybe the TSA brass just has something against soft drinks.