FROM NONPRECISION APPROACHES TO PRECISION-LIKE APPROACHES:

Methods and Operational Procedures

BY CAPT. ETIENNE TARNOWSKI

Introduction the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)

T
during final approach.
he methods and operational procedures that
This evolution and rationalization have been
have been defined by airframe manufactur-
achieved schematically in three steps since 1970:
ers, airlines and other operators for pilots
to fly non-ILS (instrument landing system) • First step, 1970s — NPAs;
approaches have evolved over the past 35 years.
• Second step, 1980s — constant descent
The evolution of these procedures has been angle/stabilized NPAs; and,
dictated by the following factors:
• Third step, 1990s onward — precision-like
• The way nonprecision approaches (NPAs) approaches.
or precision-like approaches are defined;
Main Factors Involved in NPAs
• The navigation sensors used aboard the
airplane; and, Any type of instrument approach procedure
(IAP) to a runway is a lateral and vertical trajec-
• The on-board instruments provided to fly tory defined so as to be flown by airplanes in
the approach and monitor the approach. instrument meteorological conditions (IMC)
down to the applicable minimums, where visual
The combination of these factors has enabled references must be acquired by the pilots in or-
rationalization of the methods and procedures, der to safely continue the approach and landing.
from the traditional step-down approaches — Instrument approaches are supported by
also known as “dive-and-drive approaches” — to various navigation systems and may be divided
the constant descent angle/stabilized approach into two types:
method.
This rationalization has significantly • The ILS — or, more generally, a landing
improved the safety level of these approaches; system (LS) approach — provides lateral
indeed, the latest procedures — when appli- and vertical beams down to the runway,
cable — have suppressed the main causes of allowing precision approaches and auto-
unstabilized approaches and, thus, minimized land procedures; and,

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 |1

 PRECision-Like Approaches

• The non-ILS approaches — that is, NPAs, These approaches are called nonprecision
area navigation (RNAV) approaches and approaches because the overall performance of
precision-like approaches — provide a these approaches is dictated by:
lateral course or pattern supported by
a radio navigation aid (navaid), with • The performance of the navaid, itself. The
the vertical path of the approach being typical accuracies of the navaids are:
defined in a more-or-less discontinuous – NDB, plus/minus 5 degrees;
way.
– VOR, plus/minus 3 degrees;
With the availability of advanced naviga-
tion sensors and airborne navigation systems – LOC, plus/minus 0.2 degree; and,
—including the inertial reference system (IRS),
global positioning system (GPS) and flight – DME, 0.2 nm or 2.5 percent of distance;
management system (FMS) — the RNAV • The location of the navaid on the air-
point-to-point method of navigation, which is field or close to the airfield relative to the
not dependent on the position of ground-based extended runway centerline. The loca-
navaids, has allowed more flexibility in the defi- tion affects the approach pattern and the
nition of the final approach lateral and vertical difficulty of flying the approach — and,
paths. therefore, the flight accuracy. Typical
In all cases, the final approach starts at a navaid locations include the following:
final approach fix (FAF) and ends at the missed
approach point (MAP) or at the MDA(H) – On the airfield and on the extended
(minimum descent altitude/height) or DA(H) runway centerline, allowing a straight-
(decision altitude/height). in approach with no offset (Figure 1,
Traditionally, the final segment of most page 3);
instrument approaches has been straight-in. – On the airfield, abeam the runway and
However, during the last decade, with the avail- associated with an approach pattern,
ability of high-performance navigation and on- such as a teardrop procedure turn
board flight management and guidance systems, (Figure 2, page 4), with an offset final
segmented and/or curved final approaches have segment; and,
been defined.
The methods and procedures provided to – Abeam the extended runway centerline,
aircrew by manufacturers, operators and airlines associated with a significantly offset fi-
to fly instrument approaches in IMC have varied nal approach trajectory — for example,
over time because they depend upon two main more than 30 degrees — usually due to
factors: the “nature” of the approach and the on- surrounding terrain (Figure 3, page 5);
board equipment.
• The availability of DME as part of the ref-
The Nature of the Non-ILS Approach
erence navaid — for example, VOR/DME
Traditional NPAs in the 1970s — or of a system providing the airplane’s
These approaches are referenced to a ground distance to the runway threshold — for
radio navaid used to define the final approach example, an RNAV computer — signifi-
trajectory or pattern. Over the last 30 years these cantly enhances the capability of the pilot
navaids typically have included the nondirec- to know the airplane’s position along the
tional beacon (NDB), VHF omnidirectional radio lateral path of the final approach. Fur-
(VOR) and localizer (LOC) — often colocated thermore, the distance information allows
with distance measuring equipment (DME). better adherence to the intended vertical

2| flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

flight path of the final approach by con-

Cairo — VOR DME Runway 23L
ducting altitude/distance checks; and,

• The nonprecision nature of the approach

is also caused by poor definition of the
final approach’s vertical path. NPA charts
typically provide only an assigned altitude
at the FAF and the distance from the FAF
to the MAP. Thus, crew awareness of the
airplane’s vertical position versus the in-
tended vertical path of the final approach
is quite low.
RNAV Approaches of the 1980s: These ap-
proaches comprise point-to-point trajectories.
Each point may be defined either by a bearing/
distance to a reference ground navaid such
as a VOR/DME or, as is the case today, by a
geographic position defined by latitude and
longitude. Each point is assigned a crossing
altitude.
Consequently, RNAV approaches clearly
define both a lateral and a vertical trajectory
that the airplane must maintain on final ap-
proach. Some RNAV approaches are published
as “overlays,” or supplements, to existing ap-
proaches; the geographic trajectories are the
same.
Although most RNAV approaches are
straight-in approaches, some comprise a suc-
cession of nonaligned straight segments and are
known as segmented approaches. In order to fly
segmented RNAV approaches, adequate airplane
equipment is required, as set forth in the appli-
cable approach chart (Figure 4, page 6).

RNP RNAV Approaches of the 1990s

Onward: Required navigation performance Figure 1
(RNP) RNAV approaches are basically defined
as RNAV approaches within a performance- and has to show whether the RNP is actually
based navigation concept. being met during the approach.
This concept means that the airplane is able The performance-based navigation concept
to fly the RNAV approach trajectory and to meet ensures that the airplane remains “contained”
the specified RNP criterion — for example, RNP within a specific volume of airspace, without re-
0.15 nm. Thus, the airplane’s navigation system quiring an outside agent to monitor its accuracy
has to monitor its actual navigation perfor- and integrity.
mance (ANP) — typically, total navigation error, This concept provides great flexibility for
including system and flight technical error — approach designers; indeed, the notion of

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 |3

 PRECision-Like Approaches

Bunia — VOR Runway 10 the approach may be either straight or curved

but are all geographically defined, as shown by
Figure 6, page 8. The approach vertical path is a
constant angle.

The On-board Equipment: The methods

and procedures recommended to fly non-ILS
approaches depend upon the ability of the
on-board equipment to ensure the following
functionalities:

• Navigation;

• Guidance; and,

• Display.

Navigation Functionalities: The navigation

functionalities are those which provide the pilot
with the system’s best estimation of the airplane’s
position and its deviation from an intended
flight path.
First step, the 1970s: Navigation functional-
ities were essentially based on on-board equip-
ment that received signals from ground-based
navaids such as NDBs, VORs, LOCs and DME.
Some airplanes also were equipped with
an inertial navigation system (INS) that could
be updated by specific navaids. For long-range
flights, long-range navigation (LORAN) and
Omega navaids, and RNAV computers also were
used.
For non-ILS approaches, traditional ground-
based navaids were the reference sources of
navigation information.
Second step, the 1980s: Two major advances
were made in navigation functionalities: the wide-
Figure 2 spread use of IRS and the adoption of the FMS.
Most commercial airplanes were equipped
containment allows them to consider approach with at least one IRS, which calculated the
trajectories that can satisfy various potential airplane’s position autonomously with a good
conflicting constraints — such as terrain, noise, performance level, and at least one FMS, which
environment and prohibited areas — while processed the airplane’s position based on data
ensuring a comfortable, flyable, constant descent from other on-board systems, and ensured flight
angle vertical path, with approach minimums navigation functions.
dictated by RNP, as shown by Figure 5, page 7. The FMS used all IRS positions available
RNP RNAV approaches are therefore point- and averaged these positions into a “MIX
to-point approaches; the various segments of IRS” position, which then was updated using

4| flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

information from the best pair of DME stations geographic trajectories. The importance of
within range or using a VOR/DME within defining “geographic” legs will be illus-
range. Consequently, the FMS could provide a trated further when discussing the design
good airplane position, along with an estimate of curved RNP RNAV approaches in a
of its accuracy. mountainous environment; and,
The FMS then and today provides lateral
and vertical flight planning functions, which • Whenever required, the descent angle
means that it can string together all the legs of a assigned to a leg — for example, during
flight plan, including all the legs constituting the approach — also is included in the FMS
approach.
The FMS is able to assign crossing altitudes Le Ceiba — NDB DME Runway 07
at various waypoints of the approach as well as
a descent angle for certain legs such as the final
approach leg.
As a result, the FMS processes the airplane’s
position and provides an estimate of its accuracy
and the lateral/vertical deviations which may
exist between the airplane’s position and the
flight plan. Figure 7, page 9 shows typical FMS
progress and flight-plan pages.
Third step, the 1990s onward: The major
step forward in this period is the advent of
GPS, because of its remarkable accuracy, its
capability to properly confirm performance,
its quasi-worldwide and quasi-permanent
availability, and its capability to monitor its
integrity.
GPS is used as a primary navigation sen-
sor by the FMS, which also displays navigation
performance as estimated error or ANP.
The resulting FMS-computed position
is very accurate, which explains the shift in
terminology from “nonprecision approach” to
“precision-like approach” when flying an instru-
ment final approach using GPS as the basic
navigation sensor.
The navigation databases used by the
FMS have been upgraded and rationalized as
follows:

• RNP values assigned to approach legs may

be included in the FMS database;

• All flight plan legs are geographically

defined — that is, referenced to Earth
— and fixed-radius turns are provided
between two legs, making these turns also Figure 3

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 |5

 PRECision-Like Approaches

database, for a better determination of the First step, the 1970s: In IMC, the pilot used
approach profile. the conventional attitude director indicator
(ADI) and horizontal situation indicator (HSI)
Figure 8, page 9 shows a typical FMS progress as references to fly the airplane. In order to
page with “GPS primary” data and a position- control a descent or climb gradient, he/she used
monitor page. the vertical speed indicator (VSI) as well as the
altimeter.
Guidance Functionalities: The guidance func- Most commercial airplanes were equipped
tionalities are those used by the pilot to fly the with an autopilot (AP) and a flight director (FD)
airplane during approach. with more or less advanced modes, such as:

Palmdale — RNAV (GPS) Runway 25 • Pitch;

• Vertical speed (V/S);

• Heading (HDG);

• VOR/LOC; and/or,

• Navigation (NAV), if an INS or an RNAV

computer was installed.

Figure 9, page 9 shows an ADI and an HSI, as

installed in an Airbus A300.
Second step, the 1980s: Two major advances
were made in guidance functionalities in this
period:

• The introduction of the “glass cockpit”

featuring an electronic flight instrument
system (EFIS) that replaced conven-
tional ADIs with primary flight displays
(PFDs) providing new flying cues such
as the flight path vector (FPV). The FPV
gives pilots the instantaneous flight path
angle (FPA) and track (TRK) flown by
the airplane, hence its instantaneous
trajectory. The FPV assists the pilot in
flying and controlling stabilized seg-
ments of trajectory, particularly during
final approach. The FPV may be used
alone or in association with the flight
path director (FPD).

• The introduction of the FMS and the FPV

allowed additional AP/FD modes to be
adapted to tracking a trajectory. The FPV-
associated modes included TRK and/or
FPA (Figure 10a, page 10). FMS-associated
Figure 4 modes included:

6| flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

Queenstown — RNAV (RNP) Runway 23

© Naverus

Figure 5

• NAV or LNAV (lateral navigation), Consequently, the AP/FD modes associated

providing guidance along the lateral flight with the FMS are now able to guide the airplane
plan (F‑PLN); and, on any type of non-ILS approach, both later-
ally and vertically, with great precision and thus
• Destination (DES) and final approach meet RNP criteria.
(FINAL APP), or VNAV (vertical naviga- Additionally, new specific approach modes
tion), providing guidance along the verti- have been designed to provide flight crews with
cal F‑PLN (Figure 10b, page 10). identical methods and procedures when flying
any straight-in approach, ILS or non-ILS.
FINAL APP or LNAV/VNAV are combined These modes are:
modes that guide the airplane along non-ILS
• The final approach course (FAC) and glide
approaches, both laterally and vertically.
path (G/P) modes of the Boeing integrated
Third step, the 1990s onward: Guidance
approach navigation (IAN) concept; and,
functionalities have been affected by the spread
of head-up displays (HUDs) in the cockpits, as • The FMS LOC (F‑LOC) and FMS
well as by the enhancement of the associated glideslope (F‑G/S) modes of the Airbus
FMS modes. FMS landing system (FLS) concept.
The basic flying reference in a HUD is the
FPV, which allows the pilot to control the air- The principle of the FLS is that the FMS com-
plane trajectory using outside references such as putes a virtual beam upstream of the FAF; the
the runway; flying the HUD is simply flying the course and descent angle of this beam are those
airplane trajectory. of the straight-in non-ILS approach selected in
The AP/FD FMS-associated modes —DES, the FMS F‑PLN, as stored in the FMS database
FINAL APP or LNAV/VNAV — have been en- (Figure 11, page 10).
hanced to improve their guidance performance Consequently, when flying such straight-
and thus minimize flight technical error (FTE). in approaches with IAN/FLS modes, the

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 |7

 PRECision-Like Approaches

First step, the 1970s: The essential in-

Segmented/Curved Approach
Washington DCA —SAAR RNAV (RNP) Runway 19 formation provided was the position of the
airplane relative to the intended lateral trajec-
tory of the approach — that is, the radial to the
reference navaid versus the intended approach
radial.
This information was provided on the radio
magnetic indicator (RMI) for NDB and VOR
approaches, and on the HSI for VOR and LOC
approaches, which displayed the deviation be-
tween the current and intended approach radials
(Figure 12, page 11).
Additionally, if DME information was
available, a DME readout provided the distance
to the associated navaid, which significantly
improved crew awareness of the airplane’s
position.
Crew awareness of the airplane’s vertical
position versus the intended vertical path was
inadequate, however. The crew estimated the
airplane’s position from information provided
by the VSI, altimeter, clock and DME.
Second step, the 1980s: The major advance
in display functionalities was the glass cockpit
with EFIS displays: the PFD and navigation
display (ND), which was directly linked to the
FMS and apparently solved the orientation
problems some pilots had with the RMI or HSI.
The ND displays the following information:

• The airplane’s lateral position relative

to the intended lateral path, namely the
FMS F‑PLN, as well as the final approach
trajectory;

• Crosstrack (XTK) error;

• VOR or NDB course-deviation indicators,

as reference navaid raw data; and,
Figure 6
• DME distance.
procedures to intercept and track the FLS vir-
tual beam are similar to the procedures used The PFD displays vertical deviation (V/DEV)
for an ILS. from the intended final approach descent path, as
defined/selected in the FMS (Figure 13, page 11).
Display Functionalities: The display function- Third step, the 1990s onward: Display func-
alities provide the crew with the information tionalities, based on the PFD and ND, have been
required to adequately monitor the progress of enhanced. This enhancement has been dictated
the non-ILS approach. by the tremendous increase in navigation

8| flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

FMS PROG (Progress) and F-PLN Pages — FMS PROG Page with GPS Primary/DATA
Typical POS MON Page — Typical

© Airbus © Airbus
Figure 7 Figure 8

A300B4 ADI and HSI (1972–1982)

© Airbus

Figure 9

performance provided by GPS, which has al- Consequently, most non-ILS approaches can
lowed extension of operational capabilities, now be flown as precision-like approaches, pro-
including reduction of aircraft separation mini- vided the appropriate information is displayed
mums and reduction of approach minimums. for crew situational awareness. Furthermore,

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 |9

 PRECision-Like Approaches

PFD Illustrating FPV/FPD and PFD Illustrating FPV/FPD and

FMS FINAL APP Mode FMS FINAL APP Mode

© Airbus © Airbus
Figure 10a Figure 10b

the development of the RNP concept has led to Methods and Procedures
specific requirements in terms of monitoring. The methods and procedures recommended to
The evolution of display functionalities can fly non-ILS approaches depend upon:
be summarized as follows:
• The nature of the non-ILS approach, ranging
• On the PFD, lateral deviation scales tai- from the traditional NPAs of the 1970s to the
lored to RNP requirements; RNP RNAV approaches of today; and,
• On the PFD and ND, displays adapted to • The on-board equipment, from the ADI/
IAN or FLS modes (Figure 14, page 11); HSI/RMI and very basic AP/FD modes
of the 1970s to the current glass cockpits
• Vertical situation display (VD) added at
with FMS/GPS and LNAV/VNAV-capable
the bottom of the ND, for enhanced verti-
AP/FDs.
cal situational awareness (Figure 15, page
12). Additional factors that affect non-ILS approach
procedures include the following:
FLS — Virtual Beam–Anchor Point
• The position of the FAF, which is either a
geographical point on a straight-in approach
or a position estimated by the pilot at the
FLS beam end of a procedure turn such as a “teardrop”;
Anchor point
runway
• The position of the MAP, which defines the
threshold/TCH end point of the final approach at which a
missed approach must be conducted by the
pilot if visual navigation is not achieved.
Slope The MAP may be located at, before or
FAF beyond the runway threshold; and,

• The nature of the altitude limit — that is,

Figure 11 MDA(H) or DA(H).

10 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

The 1970s — HSI–DRMI

© Airbus
Figure 12

Airbus EFIS PFD — FINAL APP Mode acquired, in order not to “duck under” the
(V/DEV shown) MDA(H) (Figure 17, page 13).

The DA(H) is, as it states, the decision altitude; if

no visual references are acquired when reaching
the DA(H), a missed approach must be initiated.
Considering all these factors, the following
is a review of the evolution of non-ILS approach
procedures:
First step, the 1970s: The non-ILS ap-
proaches were the traditional NPAs using NDBs,
VORs or LOCs —possibly supplemented by

Boeing EFIS PFD — NPS Scales

©Airbus
Figure 13

The MDA(H) is the minimum descent altitude;

descent below the MDA(H) is not allowed in
IMC during the approach or during the missed
approach. This applies to either:

• Level-off at the MDA(H) during a step-

down/dive-and-drive approach until visual
references are acquired (Figure 16, page
12); or,

• Initiation of the missed approach above

the MDA(H) during a constant descent
© Boeing Commerical Airplanes
angle approach if no visual references are Figure 14

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 11

 PRECision-Like Approaches

Airbus EFIS ND — Vertical Situation Display minimizes crew workload and facilitates moni-
toring the procedure and flight path. During
non-ILS approaches, autopilot use allows better
course and vertical path tracking accuracy,
reduces the probability of inadvertent deviations
below flight path and is therefore recommended
until suitable visual reference is established on
final approach.”
Control of the airplane’s lateral flight path
called for the following unique method:

• Tune reference navaids for the approach;

• Set the RMI selector to ADF (automatic

direction finder) for an NDB approach or
to VOR for a VOR approach;

• Set the electronic horizontal situation

indicator (EHSI) switch to VOR for a VOR
or ILS for a LOC-only approach;

• Set the final approach course (CRS) target

© Airbus
Figure 15 for the EHSI;

• Use the autopilot roll/lateral modes as

DME — as reference navaids, whereas the on-
follows:
board equipment was conventional in terms of
navigation, guidance and display functionalities. – HDG mode for an NDB approach, as well
Most airframe manufacturers recommended as during the intermediate approach; and,
the use of the autopilot for lateral and vertical
– VOR for a VOR approach or LOC for a
control of the airplane during approach. For
LOC-only approach;
example, in the 737 flight crew training manual
(FCTM), Boeing stated: • Disengage the autopilot after visual
“Automatic flight is the preferred method references are acquired — no later than
of flying non-ILS approaches. Automatic flight reaching the MDA(H) — in order to
complete the approach visually and
Go-around Decision — Step-down NPA manually; and,

Decision at VDP: • Monitor the lateral trajectory of the air-

t Descent from VDP plane using raw data on the EHSI or RMI.
or
t Go-around
Control of the vertical path of the airplane used
two different methods: the step-down method and
V M the constant descent angle method. Both methods
MDA(H)
assumed that the airplane was being flown in land-
ing configuration and at the final approach speed
FAF VDP MAP
(Vapp) from the FAF down to the landing or to the
initiation of the missed approach.
For non-FMS/non-glass-cockpit airplanes
Figure 16 that used NDB/VOR/LOC/DME raw data for

12 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

approaches, the traditional step-down method

Go-around Decision — Contant Decent Angle NPA With MDA(H)
was recommended down to MDA(H). The
Boeing 737 FCTM described the step-down
Decision at VDP:
method as follows: t Descent from VDP
“Traditional methods of flying non-ILS or
t Go-around
approaches involve using autopilot pitch or
vertical-speed modes on final approach, level-
ing off at step-down altitudes (if applicable) V M
MDA(H)
and at the MDA(H), followed by a transition
to a visual final approach segment and landing.
Those traditional methods involve changing the
flight path at low altitudes and are not similar to FAF VDP MAP

methods for flying ILS approaches.”

However, a provision for recommending the Figure 17
use of a constant descent angle, as a function of
the airplane’s estimated groundspeed, had been
added, provided a corresponding altitude/dis- Step-down/Dive-and-drive Approach Method —Typical
tance table was available on the approach chart. Decision at VDP:
The recommended procedure to fly a con- 2500'
t
Descent from VDP
or
stant descent angle NPA was as follows:
t
Go-around

• Select V/S — up to 1,500 fpm at more than 1670'

1,000 ft above ground level (AGL), 1,000
fpm at the FAF — even if a level flight V M
MDA(H)
segment is depicted after the FAF on the
chart;

• Level off at the next step-down altitude(s); FAF D5.0 VDP MAP

monitor and make the appropriate alti-

tude/distance callouts; Figure 18

• Select V/S — 1,000 fpm for flying the last

step-down segment to the MDA(H); and, threshold that allows a 5 percent — 3-degree —
descent path to the runway; the descent is initi-
• If the airfield is not in sight at an altitude ated when crossing the VDP at the MDA(H).
equal to MDA(H) plus 10 percent of the The VDP is the last point from which a
descent rate — for example, add 100 ft to stabilized approach to the runway can be con-
the MDA(H) for a typical 1,000 fpm rate ducted. When not provided on the chart, the
of descent — reduce V/S to ensure that position of the VDP can be estimated by the
the airplane does not descend below the crew either as a distance to the runway thresh-
published MDA(H); this might result in old or a time from the FAF.
reaching the MDA(H) past the published This method was recommended for all
or estimated visual descent point (VDP). NPAs by some operators that flew many NDB
approaches without DME and without pub-
The VDP is either depicted on the approach lished vertical descent angle or rate of descent
chart as a “V” (Figure 18) or estimated by the information.
pilot. The VDP is located along the final ap- The traditional step-down approach tech-
proach trajectory at a distance from the runway nique had the following drawbacks:

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 13

 PRECision-Like Approaches

Kathmandu — VOR DME Runway 02 — Multi-stepdown Approach Consequently, the acquisition of visual referenc-
es and the perspective view of the runway were
affected by the airplane’s pitch attitude, which
was significantly greater than the nominal pitch
attitude observed when the airplane is estab-
lished on a 3-degree glide path. Furthermore,
when acquiring visual references beyond the
VDP, the pilot might be tempted to continue
the final, visual segment of the approach, which
could result in a high descent rate.
The technique led to unstabilized approach-
es which, as line experience showed, led to
off-runway touchdowns, tail strikes and runway
excursions/overruns.
The preceding discussion is illustrated
by the VOR/DME approach to Runway 02 at
Kathmandu, Nepal (Figure 19). Until recently,
most operators flew this approach using the
traditional step-down procedure. The typical
result was that, during most of the approach, the
airplane was not stabilized, which was the cause
of a number of CFIT accidents and approach-
and-landing incidents/accidents.
Regarding the second method, the constant
descent angle, Boeing states in the 737 FCTM:
“The methods which provide a constant angle
approach reduce the exposure to crew error and,
thus, CFIT accidents. These methods also make
it much easier for the crew to achieve a stabilized
approach to a landing, once visual reference to
the runway environment has been established.”
This method requires the crew to compute
an adequate V/S to fly from the FAF to the VDP
on a constant descent angle (Figure 20, page 15).
This V/S is a function of the average ground-
speed of the airplane during the approach.
On some approach charts, constant descent
Figure 19
angle tables, showing V/S versus groundspeed,
• The airplane was never stabilized dur- are provided. If such tables are not provided, the
ing the final approach; the pitch attitude pilot estimates the time between the FAF, at the
needed to be changed even at low alti- FAF altitude, and the VDP, at the MDA(H) or
tudes; thus, thrust and pitch had to be DA(H), and establishes the adequate V/S.
continuously adjusted; and, Consequently, no later than during the inter-
mediate approach, the pilot:
• The airplane reached MDA(H) in quasi-
level flight either before the VDP or after • Estimates the average groundspeed for the
the VDP. final approach;

14 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

• Determines from the published table or by Constant-angle Approach Method — With MDA(H) or DA(H)
computation the constant V/S to be flown
during the final approach; and, Decision before MDA(H)/VDP or at DA(H)/VDP:
t
Descent from VDP
2500'
• Estimates the position of the VDP, if not or
t
Go-around
published.
1670'
Reaching the FAF, the pilot:
V M
• Selects the AP/FD V/S mode on the flight MDA(H) or DA(H)
control unit (FCU) or mode control panel
(MCP) and enters the V/S target previ-
FAF D5.0 VDP MAP
ously determined; for airplane models not
featuring a V/S mode, the pitch mode is
used and the pitch attitude is adjusted to Figure 20
obtain the desired V/S; and,
Second step, the 1980s: Non-ILS approaches
• Monitors the descent using either the included the traditional NPAs as well as RNAV
altitude/distance check points, if a DME is approaches.
available, or the elapsed time from the FAF The on-board equipment was upgraded with:
to a given altitude, with increased monitor-
ing when approaching the MDA(H)/VDP. • Glass cockpits featuring EFIS;

• FMS with high-performance airplane

No descent below MDA(H) is allowed if visual position computation, with MIX IRS
references are not acquired; a missed approach position enhanced by DME/DME or
must be initiated immediately. Level-off at VOR/DME corrections; and,
MDA(H) should not be considered, because
delaying the go-around decision until the MAP • AP/FD with basic TRK/FPA modes and
would not allow, with most published MAP po- FINAL APP, or LNAV/VNAV, combined
sitions, a stabilized visual segment and landing. modes.
The main advantages of the constant descent
angle approach technique are: All these systems — the basic TRK/FPA modes,
the display of the FPV on the PFD and the flight
• The final approach is stabilized — pitch at- planning capabilities of the FMS — favored
titude, speed, thrust and pitch trim remain the concept of trajectory. Consequently, for a
constant; non-ILS approach, lateral and vertical guidance,
referenced from the FMS position, could be
• When reaching the VDP with visual
provided along a trajectory retrieved from the
references acquired, the perspective view
FMS navigation database.
of the runway is similar in most cases,
thus allowing the pilot flying to properly The AP/FD LNAV/VNAV or FINAL APP
determine if a normal visual approach to modes could track this approach trajectory, thus
the runway can be continued; ensuring that XTK error or lateral deviation (L/
DEV) and V/DEV were kept to zero (Figure 21,
• The transition from the instrument to the
page 16).
stabilized visual approach is continuous; and,
The procedures and methods used by opera-
• The monitoring of the vertical flight tors during this period varied. Some operators
path during the approach is simple and still recommended the traditional step-down
continuous. method. However, they were taking benefit from

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 15

 PRECision-Like Approaches

FMS position accuracy actually dictated the

Lateral Trajectory — XTK–L/DEV and Vertical Trajectory V/DEV
strategy that would be used for the completion
of the approach, including the AP/FD modes
selected to fly the approach and the ND display
mode selected to monitor the approach.
If FMS navigation accuracy was found to
be within the applicable tolerances, the AP/FD
V/DEV FMS-related modes LNAV/VNAV or FINAL
APP might be used for the completion of the
final approach, and the EFIS ND ARC or MAP
display modes might be used to monitor the
XTK completion of the approach, along with the V/
DEV indication on the PFD.
Figure 21
If FMS navigation accuracy was found not
to be within the applicable tolerances, the AP/FD
the FMS NAV or LNAV modes and used the TRK/FPA modes had to be used to track the lateral
EFIS ND ARC or MAP display mode, which and vertical trajectory of the airplane, and the
provided the airplane’s position on the plan view EFIS ND ROSE display mode had to be used, at
of the approach. least by the pilot flying; the pilot monitoring might
Many operators had adopted the procedures still use the MAP display, with overlay of raw
recommended by the airframe manufacturers, data, for enhanced situational awareness.
which took benefit of the FMS features to support Indeed, an inaccurate FMS position would
the constant descent angle approach technique. directly affect the performance of the AP/FD
Two precautions were essential to fly those ap- FMS guidance and render the EFIS ND MAP
proaches with full use of the FMS. First, the pilot display very misleading. Figure 22 shows an
had to ensure that the FMS position was accurate FMS navigation accuracy check using the FMS
and that its accuracy was within the tolerances of program (PROG) page and the ND in the ARC
the approach area, typically within 0.3 nm. display mode.

FMS Navigation Accuracy Check

Airbus FMS PROG Page and ND with ARC Display Mode

© Airbus

Figure 22

16 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

As a second precaution, the pilot had to corresponds with the FMS F‑PLN, use
check the quality of the FMS navigation data- the NAV mode; if ATC provides radar
base, in order to ensure that the final approach vectors, use the HDG or TRK mode and
inserted in the FMS F‑PLN by the pilot was the direct-to (DIR TO) mode to inter-
correct. The final approach could not be modi- cept the inbound radial or course on the
fied by the crew when the airplane was between FMS;
the FAF and the MAP.
In other words, the crew had to check that – Monitor the interception, using the ND
the series of waypoints that defined the final in ARC or MAP display mode; and,
approach route, the crossing altitudes and the – During a vectored approach, when ATC
FPAs of the various legs provided on the FMS clears the airplane to intercept the final
multifunction control display unit (MCDU) approach course, press the approach
route legs (RTE LEGS) or F‑PLN page were (APPR) pushbutton on the FCU or arm
consistent with the published procedure. the NAV/LNAV mode on the MCP.
If the two precautions were satisfied, then
the FMS, its associated guidance modes and • Final approach:
display functionalities could be used to com-
plete the final approach. – Ensure that the airplane is established in
On some airplanes, the FPV was provided landing configuration at Vapp prior to
on the EFIS PFD. The FPV was selected during the FAF;
non-ILS approaches because it was the best – Upon reaching the FAF, check that the
adapted flying reference for a constant descent LNAV/VNAV or FINAL APP mode
angle stabilized segment of trajectory. engages, or select VNAV if applicable;
The constant descent angle approach tech-
nique can be summarized as follows: – Set the missed approach altitude in the
FCU or MCP;
• Initial approach:
– Monitor to ensure that the airplane is
– Check the FMS navigation accuracy and properly guided along the FMS final
select the reference navaid raw data on approach, using the ND in the ARC or
the ND; MAP display modes and V/DEV on the
PFD; and,
– Check that the final approach inserted
on the FMS MCDU matches the pub- – When reaching DA(H), if visual refer-
lished procedure; ences are acquired, disengage the AP
and hand-fly the visual segment, usually
– Select the FPV, if available, as the flying
maintaining the same descent path; if
reference; and,
visual references are not acquired, initi-
– Check the DA on the flight mode annun- ate a missed approach.
ciator (FMA), as inserted in the FMS.
Note: In some cases, the final approach verti-
• Intermediate approach: cal path is not properly coded in the database;
this can be detected by the check done during
– Decelerate and configure the airplane in the initial approach. In such a case, the AP/FD
the landing configuration; modes used to fly the approach should be NAV/
FPA, FPA being selected to the final approach
– Intercept the final approach radial; if descent angle, when approaching the FAF.
the air traffic control (ATC) clearance Published MDA(H)s may be used as DA(H)s if

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 17

 PRECision-Like Approaches

allowed by local regulations, provided VNAV or A constant descent angle approach:

an equivalent mode is used on final approach.
• Ensures an approach profile that provides
Manufacturers in the 1980s recommended
greater obstacle clearance along the final
that operators fly stabilized approaches and
approach course;
constant descent angle approaches. Figure 23
illustrates the various steps of the constant de- • Offers an approach technique and proce-
scent angle approach technique. dure similar to those for conducting an
A stabilized approach means that the air- ILS approach and missed approach;
plane is on the proper lateral/vertical path, in
landing configuration and at the final approach • Significantly reduces pilot workload dur-
speed and therefore with appropriate thrust ing final approach, which enhances situ-
setting and pitch trim, thus enhancing the pilot’s ational awareness;
awareness of:
• Ensures an adequate airplane pitch attitude
• The horizontal and vertical situation; that facilitates the acquisition of visual
• Airspeed; and, references when approaching DA(H); and,

• Energy, with thrust being maintained close • Is more fuel-efficient and reduces noise.
to the setting required to fly the final ap-
proach descent path at the final approach Consequently, it can be stated that the non-ILS
speed. approaches — traditional NPAs and RNAV

Constant-angle Descent Approach Technique

IAF

w
Initial Approach:
v FMS navigation accuracy check
v Check FMS final approach vs published procedure
v Select FPV
v Select appropriate navaids
w IF

Intermediate Approach:
v Decelerate to VAPP and select landing configuration
v Intercept final approach as per ATC clearance
(NAV if along F-PLN, HDG if radar vectors with DIR
TO[…] INTCPT)

Decision before DA(H)/VDP:

t
Descent from VDP
2500'
or
t
Go-around

Final Approach: 1670'

v Monitor FINAL APP (LNAV/VNAV)
v Monitor trajectory on EFIS ND and V M
V/DEV on PFD DA(H)
v Be stabilized by 1,000 ft AGL

FAF D5.0 VDP MAP

Figure 23

18 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

approaches — can be flown like ILS approaches

Kathmandu — VOR DME Runway 02 — Constant-angle
due to the stabilized/constant descent angle Descent Segments
technique provided by an appropriate procedure
and guidance modes — LNAV/VNAV or NAV/
FPA — and the use of a DA(H) instead of an
MDA(H).
However, in the 1980s, non-ILS approaches,
such as the VOR/DME approach to Kathmandu
(Figure 24), were still being flown using the
step-down/dive-and-drive technique, and there
were several CFIT accidents.
Some operators divided the vertical profile
of the Kathmandu approach into three succes-
sive constant descent angle segments, while still
complying with all the step-down altitudes, as
follows:

• A 3.1-degree constant descent angle seg-

ment from NOPEN, the intermediate fix
(IF), to the FAF at D10.0;

• A 6.11-degree constant descent angle seg-

ment from D10.0 to D5.0; and,

• A 3.17-degree constant descent angle seg-

ment from D5.0 to the MAP at D1.0.

Most VNAV modes provide descent angles as

steep as 4.5 degrees. Consequently, some opera-
tors now fly the Kathmandu final approach
using the NAV/FPA modes, with landing con-
figuration and Vapp stabilized before NOPEN,
Figure 24
then as follows:

• FPA is set to 3.1 degrees in the FCU or Third step, the 1990s onward: The advent
MCP at 0.2 nm from NOPEN; of GPS has affected the way non-ILS approaches
are flown and has allowed full implementation
• FPA is set to 6.1 degrees — and speed of the RNP concept.
brakes are extended due to the higher de- Furthermore, the enhancement of display
scent angle — at 0.2 nm from D10.0; and, functionalities — VD, for example — and guid-
ance functionalities — LNAV, VNAV, FLS, IAN,
• FPA is set to 3.2 degrees — and speed
HUD, for example — has further reinforced the
brakes are retracted — at 0.2 nm from
constant descent angle/stabilized final approach
D5.0.
technique.
This multi-segment constant descent angle Thus, all non-ILS approaches can now be
technique is, by far, more “friendly” than the flown like ILS approaches and, due to GPS, may
traditional multi-step-down technique; it sig- be considered as precision-like approaches.
nificantly enhances the vertical situation aware- Two methods/flying techniques are cur-
ness of the crew. rently recommended, depending upon the

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 19

 PRECision-Like Approaches

geometry of the approach and the airplane

Airbus EFIS PFD With RNP Deviation Scales
equipment.
One technique uses the FINAL APP or
LNAV/VNAV AP guidance modes. It is appli-
cable to all types of non-ILS approaches — that
is, traditional NPAs, RNAV and RNP RNAV
approaches— including straight-in, segmented
or curved approaches that are properly coded in
the FMS navigation database.
The procedure is similar to the one used by
operators in the 1980s. The same flying tech-
nique applies, and the same precautions must
be taken regarding checking FMS navigation
accuracy; however, since GPS is able to moni-
tor its performance and integrity, some alerts
© Airbus
Figure 25 automatically advise the crew when/if:

• Navigation performance is not

RNP RNAV Approach — Baro VNAV — Minimum OAT
satisfactory;

• GPS primary navigation capability is lost; or,

• The RNP level is not satisfied.

The same precautions also must be taken re-

garding checking the proper coding of the final
approach in the FMS navigation database.
The following points must be considered:

• If an RNP RNAV approach is flown, the

deviations displayed on the PFD are scaled
to the RNP (Figure 25);

• The approaches are flown down to DA(H)

or MDA(H), depending on local regula-
tions, and,

• Because barometric VNAV (BARO VNAV)

is used and guides the airplane on the FPA
provided by the FMS, the BARO VNAV
guidance will guide the airplane on a shal-
lower or steeper flight path than expected
if the outside air temperature (OAT) is
significantly lower or higher than standard.

This explains why, on approach charts such as

the RNAV RNP approach to Runway 13R at
Kennedy International (Figure 26), a minimum
OAT is specified for BARO VNAV operations
Figure 26 in order to maintain the required minimum

20 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

FMS navigation database and the performance

Airbus — EFIS PFD — FLS Modes
of the guidance is linked to FMS navigation ac-
curacy, the same two precautions apply:

• Proper coding of the approach must be

checked; and,

• FMS navigation accuracy must be

checked.

The final approach is completed with the

same procedures used for an ILS approach.
However, when reaching the DA(H) or
MDA(H), the pilot must disengage the AP
and hand-fly the visual segment of the final
© Airbus
Figure 27 approach down to landing since there is no
autoland capability.
Boeing — EFIS PFD — IAN Modes With these flying techniques, all non-ILS
approaches should no longer be considered as
NPAs but as precision-like approaches, if flown
accordingly.
Today, most operators still use the step-
down technique, with all its drawbacks, to fly
the VOR/DME approach to Kathmandu. How-
ever, some operators use the NAV/FPA modes
on three successive constant descent angle
segments — that is, 3.1 degrees, 6.11 degrees
and 3.17 degrees — which has significantly
increased the safety of this approach.
Tomorrow, a curved RNP RNAV approach,
© Boeing Commerical Airplanes with a single constant descent angle from the
Figure 28 FAF to the runway might be available. Figure 29,
page 22 shows such an approach, to Kathman-
obstacle clearance. A maximum OAT also may du’s Tribhuvan International Airport, developed
be specified. during an Airbus study. The approach would be
The other technique uses the Airbus FLS guid- flown in LNAV/VNAV or FINAL APP modes
ance mode (Figure 27) or the Boeing IAN guid- down to the DA, provided that the ANP of the
ance mode (Figure 28) for all straight-in non-ILS FMS is within RNP 0.3.
approaches coded in the FMS navigation database. When such an RNP RNAV approach is avail-
The main goal of the FLS/IAN modes is able, along with the associated procedures, pilots
to allow straight-in non-ILS approaches to be will really fly precision-like approaches into
flown like ILS approaches, which means that the Kathmandu.
procedures recommended to aircrew to fly non-
ILS and ILS approaches are nearly identical. The
Conclusion
procedures have the same sequence of actions,
controls and displays. The completion of a non-ILS approach is one
However, because the FLS and the IAN are of the most challenging and demanding phases
based upon approach procedures stored in the of flight, and requires proper planning and

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 21

 PRECision-Like Approaches

The methods and procedures recommend-

Kathmandu RNAV (RNP) SAAR Runway 02 — Airbus Study
ed to fly non-ILS approaches have changed
significantly in the past decades. Despite the
flaws, weaknesses and drawbacks found in
line experience, the step-down/dive-and-drive
method is still widely used, even in airplanes
featuring the latest technology. Today’s constant
descent angle/stabilized final approach tech-
nique significantly raises the safety level of this
flight phase.
With the increased use of GPS and the latest
technology glass cockpits, all non-ILS approach-
es — from traditional NPAs to RNP RNAV
approaches — may be flown using the constant
descent angle technique.
The resulting procedures are very similar
to those recommended for conducting ILS
approaches; furthermore, the extremely high
accuracy of GPS and the high performance of
the lateral and vertical modes of the AP/FD en-
able pilots to conduct non-ILS approaches very
precisely.
This fully explains the change in the op-
erational vocabulary from nonprecision ap-
proaches to ILS-like approaches to precision-like
approaches. ●

Airbus, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Bombardier

Aerospace, Jeppesen, Naverus, Northwest Airlines and
Qatar Airways contributed to the research and preparation
of this report.

Capt. Etienne Tarnowski is an experimental test pilot at

Airbus. He supervised the definition, design and develop-
Figure 29 ment of the A310/A300-600 FMS and A320 avionics, and
coordinated the overall operational definition of the A330
significant strictness by the crew in the conduct and A340. Tarnowski is a 1967 graduate of the French
of the approach — including task sharing, coor- Air Force Academy and a 1975 graduate of the Ecole
dination, risk awareness and decision making. Supérieure d’ Electricité.

22 | flight safety foundation | October 2007

 PRECision-Like Approaches

Abbreviations

ADF automatic direction finder IAP instrument approach procedure

ADI attitude director indicator IF intermediate fix
AGL above ground level ILS instrument landing system
ANP actual navigation performance IMC instrument meteorological conditions
AP autopilot INS inertial navigation system
ATC air traffic control IRS inertial reference system
BARO VNAV barometric vertical navigation L/DEV lateral deviation
CFIT controlled flight into terrain LNAV lateral navigation
CRS course LOC localizer
DA(H) decision altitude/height LS landing system
DES destination MAP missed approach point
DME distance measuring equipment MCDU multifunction control display unit
EFIS electronic flight instrument system MCP mode control panel
EHSI electronic horizontal situation indicator MDA(H) minimum descent altitude/height
FAC final approach course NAV navigation
FAF final approach fix ND navigation display
FCTM flight crew training manual NDB nondirectional beacon
FCU flight control unit NPA nonprecision approach
FD flight director OAT outside air temperature
F-G/S flight management system–glideslope PFD primary flight display
F-LOC flight management system–localizer PROG program
FLS Airbus flight management system landing system RMI radio magnetic indicator
FMS flight management system RNAV area navigation
FPA flight path angle RNP required navigation performance
FPD flight path director RTE route
FMA flight mode annunciator TRK track
F-PLN flight plan Vapp final approach speed
FPV flight path vector VDP visual descent point
FTE flight technical error VD vertical deviation display
G/P glide path V/DEV vertical deviation
GPS global positioning system VNAV vertical navigation
HDG heading VOR VHF omnidirectional radio
HSI horizontal situation indicator V/S vertical speed
HUD head-up display VSI vertical speed indicator
IAN Boeing integrated approach navigation XTK crosstrack

www.flightsafety.org | October 2007 | 23