FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
A pilot is cleared for a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) approach to a military-shared airfield. What distinguishes this approach from an Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approach at the same facility?
- APAR may only be used in visual meteorological conditions, unlike ASR
- BASR requires higher minimums than PAR because it lacks any horizontal guidance
- CPAR provides both azimuth (course) and elevation (glide path) guidance, while ASR provides azimuth guidance only
- DPAR provides only lateral course guidance, while ASR provides full vertical guidance
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. PAR provides both azimuth (course) and elevation (glide path) guidance, while ASR provides azimuth guidance only
A PAR approach is a precision approach because the radar controller provides both azimuth and elevation guidance, allowing the pilot to fly a glide path to a decision height. An ASR approach is nonprecision, providing azimuth (course) guidance only, with the controller advising when to begin descent to an MDA.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — PAR is designed for use in IMC, not restricted to VMC.
- B. Incorrect — ASR does provide azimuth guidance; it simply lacks vertical guidance.
- D. Incorrect — this reverses the actual capabilities of PAR and ASR.
PAR vs ASR Approaches
PAR (Precision Approach Radar) provides azimuth and elevation guidance for a precision approach; ASR (Airport Surveillance Radar) provides azimuth guidance only, making it a nonprecision approach.
- PAR = precision, includes glide path
- ASR = nonprecision, azimuth only
- Both rely on controller radio guidance rather than onboard nav display
Memory trick: PAR = Precise All-Round; ASR = Azimuth-only Sideways guidance