FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesMedium
A pilot's aircraft experiences a glideslope receiver failure while inbound to an airport with both ASR and PAR radar approaches available. The pilot requests a radar approach that provides recommended altitudes at each mile on final but no vertical guidance display. Which approach should the pilot request?
- APrecision Approach Radar (PAR)
- BNo-gyro radar approach
- CAirport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approach
- DContact approach
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approach
An ASR approach is a nonprecision radar approach in which the controller provides headings and recommended altitudes at each mile on final, but no glide path/vertical guidance is provided, unlike a PAR which provides both azimuth and glide path information.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. PAR provides continuous azimuth and glide path guidance, requiring a functioning glideslope-equivalent display setup that isn't needed here—but more importantly it provides vertical guidance, which contradicts the scenario.
- B. A no-gyro approach is used for heading guidance when the gyro/heading indicator has failed, not for glideslope failures.
- D. A contact approach requires VMC conditions and pilot-requested visual navigation, not applicable here.
ASR (Airport Surveillance Radar) Approach
A nonprecision instrument approach in which ATC provides heading and recommended altitude information at each mile on final approach, based on radar, without vertical/glide path guidance.
- No glide path guidance provided (nonprecision)
- Controller gives recommended altitude at each mile on final
- Useful during airborne emergencies or navigation equipment failures
- Contrast: PAR (Precision Approach Radar) provides both azimuth and glide path
Memory trick: 'ASR: Altitude only, Straight-in Recommended' vs PAR: Precise All-the-way