The Unique Approach to Honolulu's LDA RWY 26L (PHNL)

Here's a breakdown of the LDA approach into Runway 26L at the O'ahu gateway airport.

Jason Blair

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 04:01 PM ET

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PHNL LDA Runway 26L [Reproduced with permission of Jeppesen]

Key Takeaways:

The LDA approach to Runway 26L at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL) is complex due to its approximately 40-degree offset from the runway, necessitated by terrain.
Pilots using this approach must follow flashing lights for final alignment, adhere to mandatory crossing altitudes, and carefully manage a potentially confusing missed approach procedure.
Accurate navigation is crucial, requiring the use of the correct DME source (IEPC), with GPS highly recommended for initial approach fixes, and circling restricted for specific runways and designated seaplane water lanes.

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Planning a little flying around Honolulu, Hawai‘i? Following along like the aviation dork I am on an airline flight, as you check out the approach plates the crew might be using; or just looking for a busy approach to test your knowledge? You might run across the LDA approach to Runway 26L at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL). It’s an approach plate with lots going on—but don’t forget to look ahead if you break out high enough, as you’ll be aimed at the historic grounds of Pearl Harbor, before you follow the flashing lights on in to Runway 26L.

A. LDA: At an Angle