A-B-C Your Way to a Successful Instrument Approach

IFR rated pilots use numerous acronyms, phrases and checklists to remind themselves to gather all the necessary information to properly set up and fly an instrument approach. You may recall the W-I-R-E check. After years of using various “reminders”, I offer the one I like best and always use.

A-B-C…what could be easier to remember? This is how it could apply to an ILS approach.

A is for ATIS. We get the ATIS information before descent, and thus we know the weather, the active runway, and the ILS approach we plan to fly.

B is for BRIEF the approach. I recommend you always brief the approach details out loud to your flying partner or yourself. The approach chart contains lots of information. There are seven items I recommend you check, and verify, and insure are properly displayed where applicable.

1. The chart …insure it is current, and is the approach you intend to fly.
2. The localizer frequency.
3. The final approach course.
4. The on glideslope altitude at the final approach fix. Determine when you are at the FAF, and verify you are at the proper altitude. This check insures the correct GS and altimeter setting.
5. The minimums for the approach.
6. The exact lighting configuration of the intended landing runway. This provides additional insurance you will land where you intend.
7. The missed approach procedure including the final level off altitude.

C is for CHECKLIST. Insure you complete the descent and before landing checklists in accordance with your POH.

You may simulate flying a few instrument approaches using A-B-C, and discover you like this simple “reminder” as much as I do.

A great way to really perfect your instrument approach procedures is to practice them in the full motion, full visual SimTrain SR-2X simulator. You get to choose the weather, the airport, and the approach, and you can work with a helpful ATC “controller” who really knows your Cirrus aircraft.

Hugh Gommel

ATP, CSI
Simulator Instructor
The Flight Academy
Las Vegas (KVGT)
hegommel@cox.net
702-809-9515

Images: A, B, and C from Flickr Creative Commons.