Readback: May 2012

March 2012 was another great edition. I enjoyed the discussion of the Santa Maria LOC DME (BACK CRS)-A approach (The Right Time to Descend), and I was happy to find that I agreed with your legal interpretation. However, I came to a different end conclusion.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The primary advice is to always adhere to published instrument approach procedures, especially step-down fixes, to ensure obstacle clearance and prevent Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT), particularly at night or in challenging terrain.
Pilots discuss practical flying tips, including alternative methods for equipment checks (like using a compass for pitot heat) and highlight issues with navigation software (e.g., Jepp FD not displaying high-altitude VORs on low charts).
The article encourages continued pilot education, emphasizing thorough pre-flight planning for unfamiliar areas and the value of seeking assistance (e.g., from ATC), while also celebrating the participation and recruitment of older pilots.

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Keeping It Up Longer
March 2012 was another great edition. I enjoyed the discussion of the Santa Maria LOC DME (BACK CRS)-A approach (“The Right Time to Descend”), and I was happy to find that I agreed with your legal interpretation. However, I came to a different end conclusion.

I applaud the pilot’s initial decision to ask for the approach in order to avoid terrain, but then to discard that decision based on seeing the VASI and runway is a setup for a classic black-hole CFIT accident. Just because you can see the runway doesn’t mean you can see the terrain. Your fist indication of terrain may be the VASI and runway starting to disappear—and by then it may be too late.