✈️ Aviation Brief — Issue #91
Weekly insights for student pilots and the instructors who train them.
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC
CA.IV.J — Non-Precision Approach (Commercial Pilot ACS)
1. ACS STANDARDS SUMMARY
The Commercial Pilot ACS (CA.IV.J) requires you to select and brief the appropriate non-precision approach, establish the aircraft in the proper configuration and airspeed, and fly the approach while maintaining altitude ±100 feet, heading/course ±10°, and airspeed ±10 knots. You must descend from the final approach fix to the MDA using authorized step-down altitudes, arrive at the MDA +100/−0 feet (remaining at or above MDA until the MAP), and either continue to a landing or execute the missed approach procedure upon reaching the MAP if the runway environment is not in sight. All ATC clearances and published restrictions must be followed.
2. THREE COMMON STUDENT MISTAKES
- Descending below a step-down altitude or the MDA before reaching the published fix or MAP, often because the student focuses on the altimeter rather than timing or waypoint sequencing.
- Failing to lead configuration changes and descent points, resulting in arriving high or fast at the MDA and having to add power or level off late.
- Neglecting to pre-brief the missed approach altitude and initial heading, so the transition to the missed approach becomes rushed and altitude busts occur immediately after the MAP.
3. CFI PRO TIP
Teach students to create a simple “altitude ladder” on the approach plate by circling each published altitude and noting the exact fix or DME at which they are allowed to descend. Have them verbalize “Next altitude is X feet at the Y fix” out loud as they cross each point. This habit forces them to think one step ahead and dramatically reduces early descents.
4. SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
Non-precision approaches continue to account for a disproportionate share of approach-and-landing accidents, especially CFIT events when pilots descend below MDA in marginal visibility. NTSB reviews of incidents consistently show premature descent below step-down altitudes or the MDA before the MAP as a primary factor, often in night or mountainous terrain environments.
5. DID YOU KNOW
The FAA raised the required visibility for many older non-precision approaches in 2018 precisely because data showed that the previous “mile or less” minimums were insufficient for pilots to identify the runway environment in time to execute a safe landing from the MDA.
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