Instrument Flight Rules and Approaches Flashcards
6 cards from real ATPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Instrument Flight Rules and Approaches flashcards as text
Decision Altitude (DA) differs from Decision Height (DH) in that:
Answer: DA is referenced to mean sea level while DH is referenced to threshold elevation
Decision Altitude is referenced to mean sea level (MSL) while Decision Height is referenced to the height above the runway threshold — both mark the point where a missed approach must be initiated if visual contact is not established.
The ILS glide slope nominal descent angle is:
Answer: 3.0°
The standard ILS glide slope angle is 3.0°, providing a normal descent gradient for most aircraft during the final approach segment.
Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) is used on which type of approaches?
Answer: Non-precision approaches (VOR, NDB, LNAV)
MDA is used on non-precision approaches where vertical guidance is not provided — the pilot descends to the MDA and flies level until the runway environment is in sight or the missed approach point is reached.
What does 'LNAV/VNAV' on an RNAV approach chart indicate?
Answer: Lateral navigation with vertical guidance using barometric altitude — a precision-like approach
LNAV/VNAV is an RNAV approach type using lateral GPS guidance and barometric vertical navigation, providing a DA rather than MDA for a precision-like approach without the full accuracy of LPV.
Required Navigation Performance (RNP) AR approach procedures require:
Answer: Advanced FMS with on-board monitoring and alerting capability meeting specific RNP values
RNP AR (Authorization Required) procedures require a navigation system capable of monitoring its own accuracy and alerting the crew if performance degrades below required levels, enabling curved approaches and very low minimums.
When established on the ILS localizer, what does a full-scale localizer deflection indicate?
Answer: The aircraft is approximately 2.5° from centerline
A full-scale localizer deflection indicates approximately 2.5° angular deviation from the centerline, though actual linear distance depends on distance from the runway threshold.