FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesHard
A pilot is conducting an instrument approach to an airport where the published procedure has a 'straight-in' minimums line. To be considered a 'straight-in' landing, what is the maximum permissible angle between the final approach course and the runway centerline?
- A20 degrees
- B30 degrees
- C15 degrees
- D45 degrees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 30 degrees
According to TERPS (Terminal Instrument Procedures), a straight-in landing minimum is published if the final approach course is within 30 degrees of the runway centerline. If the angle exceeds 30 degrees, only circling minimums will be published. This ensures that a pilot can reasonably align with the runway for a landing after breaking out of IMC.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 20 degrees is incorrect; the limit is higher for straight-in non-precision.
- C. 15 degrees is a common maximum for precision approaches, but straight-in non-precision allows more.
- D. 45 degrees is too large; at this angle, only circling minimums would be published.
Straight-In Landing Criteria (Angle)
For an instrument approach to have published 'straight-in' landing minimums, the final approach course must not deviate by more than 30 degrees from the runway centerline.
- Based on TERPS criteria.
- Applies to both precision and non-precision approaches for straight-in minimums.
- If angle is >30 degrees, only circling minimums are published.
Memory trick: Thirty Degrees is the Straight-In Standard.