Readback: August 2022

Frank Bowlin

Friday, July 08, 2022 at 03:16 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Pilots often violate instrument approach regulations by not meeting required visibility minimums or failing to perform "normal maneuvers" (§91.175), especially when the Missed Approach Point (MAP) is located too close to the runway for a standard, safe landing.
Aggressive maneuvers or significant corrections after breaking out of instrument conditions indicate insufficient flight visibility, highlighting common safety and legal infractions that should be avoided.
GPS can legally be used in lieu of DME to identify points like the Missed Approach Point (MAP) on a VOR approach, as per Advisory Circular 90-108, but primary flight instruments should be used for precision navigation rather than solely relying on moving maps for this purpose.

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Going Below Minimums

Please thank Ken Maples for writing this much needed article that appeared in your May 2022 issue. Many of us pre-brief approaches from home, including highlighting the chart and adding annotations. From now on mine will include a visibility checkpoint. Interestingly, for my home field, S50, Auburn (Washington), the speed Category A minimum visibility is listed as 1¼ SM, which measured out from the threshold leaves about 0.8 NM to go before reaching the MAP.