Final approach alignment 2

28.10.2004

Submission:

I'm referring to the picture above describing a non-precision approach in the answer to the letter of Mr Barry Rosenberg. So, if the final approach track crosses the runway centreline extension in the "magenta" sector (inside 1400 m starting from the runway threshold) or the angle between approach track and runway centreline extension is greater than 30 deg(cat A, B) or 15 deg (cat C, D), like break clouds procedures or sidestep approaches, what happens to the approach minima? Does circling values apply? If my guess is correct does missed approach path ensure obstacle clearance?

Capt. Luca Cobianchi

Answer or Commentary:

(I.W.

Yes Pans-Ops states on page 3-35

"6.2.2 Circling approach. When the final approach track alignment does not meet the criteria for a straight-in landing (i.e. as above), only a circling approach shall be authorized and the track alignment should ideally be made to the centre of the landing area. When necessary, the final approach track may be aligned to pass over some portion of the usable landing surface. In exceptional cases, it maybe aligned beyond the aerodrome boundary, but in no case beyond 1.9 km (1.0 NM) from the usable landing surface (see Figure 111-6-2)."

The above seems to say that only a circling approach should be designed. In answer to your second question, yes, definitely obstacle clearance is provided in the missed approach as long as you haven't commenced any visual manoeuvring.)