Mastering Approach Plate Legends: Your Ultimate Guide

Approach Plate Legend

Understanding how to read an approach plate legend is essential for pilots. Approach plates provide critical information for landing. This guide will break down each section and offer clear explanations.

Title Section

Located at the top of the approach plate, the title section gives you immediate info. It includes the type of approach, runway number, and airport name. For example, ILS RWY 24 means it’s an Instrument Landing System approach for runway 24.

Briefing Strip

Just below the title, the briefing strip is where you’ll find key approach details. This section typically includes:

Communication frequencies: Lists the tower, ground, and ATIS frequencies
Initial approach fixes: Defines where the approach procedure begins
Final approach courses: Indicates the final course you need to follow
Missed approach points: Details the actions if the approach cannot be completed

Plan View

The plan view provides a bird’s-eye view of the approach path. You’ll find:

Navigation aids (NAVAIDS): VORs, NDBs, and DME stations
Waypoints: GPS coordinates for specific points in the approach
Holding patterns: Specifies locations for aircraft to wait if needed
Obstacles: Highlights any potential hazards

Profile View

This side-on view shows altitude changes during the approach. It includes:

Step-down fixes: Points where altitude changes are required
Glide path angle: Slope angle for the approach, usually 3 degrees
Decision altitude (DA) or Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA): The lowest altitude you can descend without visual contact

Minimums Section

This part tells you the minimum visibility and altitudes for the approach. Categories are based on aircraft type and pilot certification:

Category A: Typically small single-engine aircraft
Category B: Slightly faster single-engine and light twin-engine aircraft
Category C: Large twin-engine and small jet aircraft
Category D: Larger, faster jets
Category E: Special military operations

Missed Approach Instructions

If the approach cannot be completed, this section gives you specific steps to follow:

Initial climb directions: Guidance on initial climb direction and altitude
Holding patterns: Instructions on where to hold if the missed approach is executed
Navigation guidance: Specific NAVAIDS to use during missed approach

Airport Diagram

This schematic diagram shows the layout of the airport. Critical elements include:

Runway layout: Orientation and length of runways
Taxiways: Routes to and from the gates and runways
Ramp areas: Locations for aircraft parking
Obstacles: Any structures near the airport that could affect landing

Supplementary Information

This can include all sorts of additional information, such as notes on special procedures or hazards:

Noise abatement procedures: Rules for reducing aircraft noise near the airport
Alternate missed approach profiles: Secondary instructions in case the primary missed approach isn’t feasible
Cold temperature adjustments: Guidelines for temperature effect on altimeter readings

Seasonal and Temporal Information

Changes to procedures or hazards based on season or time of day are often detailed here. Important elements might include:

Winter operations: Adjustments due to snow and ice
Nighttime operations: Changes due to reduced visibility
Seasonal runway closures: Dates when certain runways are unavailable

Approach Lighting Systems (ALS)

A description of the lighting systems used to guide aircraft during the approach and landing phases. Common types of ALS are:

Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI): Lights that help you maintain the correct glide path
Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI): Similar to PAPI but structured differently
Approach lighting systems (ALS): Various patterns of lights that help align the aircraft with the runway

Frequency Chart

Listing of all the communication frequencies relevant to the approach broken down by specific areas:

Ground control: Ground movement directions
Tower: Clearance for takeoff and landing
ATIS: Automatic terminal information service for current weather and runway information
Approach control: Instructions for entering and following the approach pattern

Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFP)

Defined routes that can be used instead of instrument approaches under certain conditions. Typically for pilots flying visually but needing explicit guidance into an airport:

Route depiction: Maps the visual route you need to follow
Waypoints: Specific points you’ll pass as you follow the visual route
Altitude and speed restrictions: Specific altitudes and speeds you must adhere to along the route

Circle-to-Land Minimums

If the approach ends with a circle-to-land maneuver, this section gives you the minimum altitudes and visibility requirements for this part of the procedure. It commonly depends on the aircraft category:

Circle-to-land versus straight-in minimums: How they may differ based on approach and visibility conditions
Restrictions: Notes on any restrictions for circling maneuvers, such as nearby obstacles or other hazards

Transition Routes

Defines the routes to transition from en-route navigation to the approach. They provide detailed instructions on how to move from one phase of flight to another:

Initial approach fix (IAF): Where you begin the initial approach phase
Routes to IAF: Specific directions and altitudes to follow to reach the IAF

Note Section

Located typically at the bottom or along the edges of the approach plate, the notes section includes important pointers. These might highlight:

Special considerations: Information like potential turbulence, wildlife, or unusual air traffic patterns
Procedural adjustments: Temporary or permanent amendments to standard procedures

Alternate Approach Procedures

This area describes alternative methods for completing the approach if the primary method isn’t feasible. Such alternatives could be due to equipment outages or weather conditions:

Alternate navigation aids: Different VORs, NDBs, or GPS waypoints
Modified vectors: Instructions for alternate headings or course adjustments

Integration with Other Tools

Approach plates are often used in conjunction with several tools and systems. Understanding how to integrate these can be beneficial:

GPS systems: Activating approach modes on your GPS unit that sync with the approach plate
Autopilot systems: Programming approaches into autopilot to follow the approach plate accurately
Electronic Flight Bag (EFB): Using tablets or other digital devices to access and interact with approach plates smoothly

Miscellaneous and Rare Information

Some approach plates may have unique or rare pieces of information. These might include:

Custom altimeter settings: Different pressures for performance planning
Specific airport services: Details about fuel availability, emergency services, or customs