FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesMedium
A pilot is flying an RNAV (GPS) approach. The approach chart indicates a straight-in LNAV minimums line and a circling minimums line. To consider the approach a straight-in approach for landing purposes, the final approach course must not exceed what angle with the runway centerline?
- A25 degrees
- B30 degrees
- C15 degrees
- D20 degrees
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 30 degrees
For an approach to be considered a straight-in landing, the final approach course must not exceed 30 degrees from the runway centerline. If the angle is greater than 30 degrees, only circling minimums are published, or if straight-in minimums are published, they are only for planning purposes and a circling approach must be executed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This angle is incorrect; the standard allows for a larger deviation.
- C. This angle is too restrictive and not the standard for straight-in consideration.
- D. This angle is incorrect; the standard allows for a larger deviation.
Straight-In Landing Criteria (Angle)
For an instrument approach to qualify as a straight-in landing, the final approach course must align with the runway centerline within a specific angular deviation.
- Maximum deviation is 30 degrees.
- Exceeding 30 degrees requires a circling approach even if straight-in minimums are published.
- This criteria applies to both precision and nonprecision approaches.
Memory trick: Aligning the runway, 30 is the degree.