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Norfolk (KORF) ILS RWY 5

Nestled into the coastal Virginia airspace, this instrument approach holds a few tricks.

Norfolk International Airport (KORF). [Reproduced with permission of Jeppesen. Not for navigational use.]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The ILS/LOC Runway 5 approach at KORF explicitly states "Radar required for procedure entry," necessitating ATC vectoring or services even if GPS can navigate to an intermediate fix.
  • DME for this approach is sourced from the opposite runway's ILS, leading to non-zero countdowns and a localizer missed approach point at 1.5 nm, not allowing use of the airport's VOR for DME.
  • The glide slope is unusable for coupled approach below 744 feet, requiring pilots to transition to hand-flying well before reaching the decision altitude.
  • The published missed approach procedure requires navigating to the CCV VOR, which typically involves a new frequency and navigation source not used during the approach.
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A trip into Norfolk, Virginia (KORF), might just find you flying the ILS or LOC Runway 5 on a drippy, low visibility, overcast day like I needed to do a couple of years ago when dropping off friends for a series of meetings. Norfolk’s primary airport sits nestled in some pretty active airspace with a variety of airports nearby, so expect a busy approach radio environment.

A. RADAR REQUIRED

Many approaches have a method to establish onto the approach without the use of ATC vectoring assistance. This approach does not. Note 2 specifically indicates: “Radar required for procedure entry” in order to get the pilot established onto the approach. While many GPSs are likely to be able to navigate directly to the CALEY waypoint, it is worth noting that this is an “IF” (intermediate fix), not technically an “IAF” (initial approach fix). So, even if your GPS can get you there, ATC needs to be providing radar services as you are vectored onto the approach or navigate directly to CALEY in order to set you up on the approach somewhere outside of the PEAAY waypoint.

Jason Blair

Jason Blair is a flight instructor and an FAA designated pilot examiner, and an active author in the general aviation and flight training communities.

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