IFR - Arrival Procedures

What must pilots do if no STAR route exists?

Pilots must plan their own descents.

Why must pilots be aware of their own descent requirements?

Because ATC may not always clear them to lower altitudes in time.

Why might ATC keep an aircraft higher than normal in a descent?

Due to aircraft conflicts in busy terminal areas.

When descending

what is preferable regarding vertical speed?

What is the purpose of a STAR?

To simplify clearance procedures and provide vertical and horizontal guidance from en route to approach.

Where are STARs published?

In the Canada Air Pilot (CAP).

How can ATC assign a STAR?

By naming the appropriate STAR in a clearance.

What types of STARs exist?

Conventional and RNAV (FMS).

Is acceptance of a STAR mandatory?

No

When should pilots request missed approach instructions in advance?

When conditions make a missed approach likely.

Why should advance requests not be made when a missed approach is unlikely?

It increases frequency congestion.

After receiving an approach clearance

what happens regarding ATC control?

Should pilots assume the control tower has radar equipment?

No

When should pilots contact the tower if not in direct communication with an IFR unit?

When approximately 25 NM from the airport.

When can ATC issue an approach clearance?

Only when a published instrument approach procedure exists.

If no published approach exists

what will ATC do?

Can ATC approve flight below the minimum IFR altitude?

No.

If VFR flight below minimum IFR altitude is not possible

what must pilots do?

What does an approach clearance using the published name look like?

Example: “Cleared to the Ottawa Airport

What must a pilot do if ATC clears them “for an approach” without specifying which one?

Inform ATC which approach they intend to fly.

If an approach clearance lacks altitude instructions

what altitude may the pilot descend to?

If the destination aerodrome is below controlled airspace

how may ATC clear an aircraft?

What is a straight-in approach?

An approach where the pilot begins the final approach without a procedure turn.

When is a straight-in approach authorized?

When “No PT” is published

What is a visual approach?

An IFR aircraft in VMC proceeding to the airport under VFR procedures with ATC clearance.

What are the weather requirements for a radar-vectored visual approach?

Ceiling at least 500 ft above minimum vectoring altitude and 3 SM visibility.

When can a visual approach be conducted?

When the pilot reports the airport in sight or has visual contact with preceding traffic.

What responsibilities does a pilot accept when cleared for a visual approach?

Maintaining separation

Are ATC or pilots required to accept a visual approach?

No.

Is a visual approach an instrument approach procedure?

No.

Is there a missed approach procedure for visual approaches?

No

What is a contact approach?

An IFR approach conducted clear of cloud with 1 NM visibility while maintaining visual reference to the surface.

Who is responsible for obstacle clearance on a contact approach?

The pilot.

What conditions must exist for ATC to authorize a contact approach?

The pilot requests it

Who maintains IFR separation during a contact approach?

ATC.

If a missed approach occurs during a contact approach

what must pilots remember?

Why are position reports required during approaches in nonradar environments?

To maintain aircraft separation.

What are common position report requests?

“Report inbound/outbound” from approach facilities such as the FAF.

If alternate missed approach instructions were received

what must the pilot do?

If no alternate instructions were given

what should the pilot do?

If arriving at the missed approach holding fix before further clearance

what should the pilot do?

Why might ATC assign specific speeds?

To facilitate traffic flow.

What is the pilot’s responsibility regarding speed requests?

Inform ATC if the requested speed is below safe maneuvering speed.

What is the tolerance for complying with ATC speed requests?

±10 knots.

What are the maximum arrival speeds below 10

000 ft ASL?

What is the maximum speed below 3

000 ft AGL or within 10 NM of controlled airports?

What is an approach ban?

A restriction preventing pilots from continuing an approach when RVR is below minima.

What determines an approach ban?

Runway Visual Range (RVR).

Where are RVR values found?

On METARs and ATIS.

When are instrument approaches prohibited according to CAR 602.129?

When RVR is below the specified minima at or before the FAF.

Who is responsible for knowing when the approach ban is in effect?

The Pilot in Command (PIC).

Does ATC enforce the approach ban?

No

When is an approach authorized?

When RVR is at or above minima

What is one exception that allows an approach below minima?

When conducting a training flight and planning a missed approach.

When can landing not occur?

When visibility is below the published level of service for the runway.

What are typical landing visibility minima?

½ SM or RVR 2600 unless stated otherwise.

When may landing occur below published minima?

If the aircraft has passed the FAF

What is Decision Height (DH)?

The specified height where a missed approach must be initiated during a precision approach if no visual reference is seen.

What is Missed Approach Point (MAP)?

The point on final approach where a missed approach must be initiated for non-precision approaches.

When are pilots prohibited from descending below DH or MDA?

Unless required visual reference is established.

What are acceptable visual references to continue landing?

Runway

When must a missed approach be initiated?

At DH for precision approaches and at MAP for non-precision approaches.

Who may conduct CAT II or III approaches?

Only flight crews trained under the Manual of All Weather Operations using approved procedures and equipment.