FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)IFR Procedures and ApproachesMedium
A pilot is flying an RNAV (GPS) approach with LNAV/VNAV minimums. The GPS receiver indicates 'LPV' as the active approach type. Which statement accurately describes the vertical guidance provided by LPV minimums?
- ALPV provides precision vertical guidance, comparable to an ILS glideslope, but without the requirement for ground-based navigation aids.
- BLPV offers no vertical guidance, only lateral navigation to the runway.
- CLPV provides vertical guidance based solely on barometric altimetry, susceptible to temperature errors.
- DLPV provides advisory vertical guidance, similar to a VNAV descent path.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. LPV provides precision vertical guidance, comparable to an ILS glideslope, but without the requirement for ground-based navigation aids.
LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance) minimums provide a decision altitude (DA) and precision vertical guidance comparable to an ILS glideslope. It uses WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) to achieve this accuracy, eliminating the need for ground-based navigation aids. This makes it a precision approach, even though it's GPS-based.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This describes LNAV-only minimums, which provide only lateral guidance to an MDA.
- C. Baro-VNAV uses barometric altimetry, which is susceptible to temperature errors. LPV uses WAAS for vertical guidance.
- D. Advisory vertical guidance is typically associated with LNAV+V or baro-VNAV, not LPV.
LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance)
LPV is a type of RNAV (GPS) approach that uses WAAS to provide precision lateral and vertical guidance, comparable to an ILS, culminating in a Decision Altitude (DA).
- Provides precision vertical guidance.
- Requires WAAS for accuracy.
- Results in a Decision Altitude (DA), not a Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
- Does not require ground-based navigation aids.
Memory trick: LPV is Like a Precision Vertical, but from the Sky.