FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesHard
A TERPS evaluation of a proposed instrument approach determines that the final approach course is offset 35 degrees from the extended runway centerline. According to the criteria for publishing landing minimums, what type of minimums will be published for that runway?
- ACircling minimums only, since the offset exceeds the maximum allowed for straight-in minimums
- BStraight-in minimums only, since the offset is within acceptable limits
- CLNAV minimums only, since course offset does not affect nonprecision approach criteria
- DBoth straight-in and circling minimums, with a note restricting straight-in use to daytime only
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Circling minimums only, since the offset exceeds the maximum allowed for straight-in minimums
TERPS criteria limit the maximum allowable offset between the final approach course and the extended runway centerline to 30 degrees for straight-in minimums to be published. Since the offset here is 35 degrees, only circling minimums may be published for that runway.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 35 degrees exceeds the 30-degree limit, so straight-in minimums cannot be published.
- C. Course offset criteria apply regardless of the specific type of nonprecision approach guidance used.
- D. There is no daytime-only exception that allows straight-in minimums beyond the offset limit.
Straight-In vs Circling Minimums Criteria
TERPS criteria require the final approach course to be within 30 degrees of the extended runway centerline (and meet descent gradient limits) for straight-in minimums to be published; otherwise only circling minimums are published.
- Maximum course offset for straight-in minimums is 30 degrees
- Descent gradient must also not exceed established limits
- Exceeding these limits results in circling-only minimums for that runway
Memory trick: 'Thirty or it's Circling only.'