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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 KORF ILS/LOC Runway 5 approach requires radar for procedure entry, meaning ATC vectoring or radar services are necessary to establish onto the approach.
  • Operational specifics include DME being sourced from the opposite runway's ILS, which does not count down to zero, and a critical glide slope limitation requiring pilots to hand-fly below 744 feet for coupled approaches.
  • Pilots executing a missed approach must navigate to the CCV VOR for holding, noting that the ORF VOR to JHALL is designated as an alternate missed approach fix, not the standard procedure.
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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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