IFH 1-12

Terminal Procedures Publications While the en route charts provide the information necessary to safely transit broad regions of airspace, the United States Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) enables pilots to guide their aircraft in the airport area. Whether departing or arriving, these procedures exist to make the controllers’ and pilots’ jobs safer and more efficient. Available in booklets by region (published by AeroNav Products), the TPP includes approach procedures, STARs, Departure Procedures (DPs), and airport diagrams. Departure Procedures There are two types of DPs: Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP) and SIDs. [Figure 1-8] Both types of DPs provide obstacle clearance protection to aircraft in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), while reducing communications and departure delays. DPs are published in text and/or charted graphic form. Regardless of the format, all DPs provide a way to depart the airport and transition to the en route structure safely. When possible, pilots are strongly encouraged to file and fly a DP at night, during marginal visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and IMC. All DPs provide obstacle clearance provided the aircraft crosses the end of the runway at least 35 feet AGL; climbs to 400 feet above airport elevation before turning; and climbs at least 200 feet per nautical mile (FPNM), unless a higher climb gradient is specified to the assigned altitude. ATC may vector an aircraft off a previously assigned DP; however, the 200 FPNM or the FPNM specified in the DP is required. Textual ODPs are listed by city and airport in the IFR Take- Off Minimums and DPs section of the TPP. SIDs are depicted in the TPP following the approach procedures for the airport. Standard Terminal Arrival Routes STARs depict prescribed routes to transition the instrument pilot from the en route structure to a fix in the terminal area from which an instrument approach can be conducted. If a pilot does not have the appropriate STAR, write “No STAR” in the flight plan. However, if the controller is busy, the pilot might be cleared along the same route and, if necessary, the controller has the pilot copy the entire text of the procedure. STARs are listed alphabetically at the beginning of the AeroNav Products booklet. Figure 1-9 shows an example of a STAR, and the legend for STARs and DPs printed in AeroNav Products booklets. Instrument Approach Procedure Charts The instrument approach procedure (IAP) chart provides the method to descend and land safely in low visibility conditions. The FAA establishes an IAP after thorough analyses of obstructions, terrain features, and navigational facilities. Maneuvers, including altitude changes, course corrections, and other limitations, are prescribed in the IAP. The approach charts reflect the criteria associated with the United States Standard for Terminal Instrument Approach Procedures (TERPs), which prescribes standardized methods for use in designing instrument flight procedures. In addition to the AeroNav Products, other governmental and corporate entities produce approach procedures. The U.S. Military IAPs are established and published by the Department of Defense and are available to the public upon request. Special IAPs are approved by the FAA for individual operators and are not available to the general public. Foreign country standard IAPs are established and published according to the individual country’s publication procedures. The information presented in the following sections highlight features of the United States TPP. The instrument approach chart is divided into six main sections, which include the margin identification, pilot briefing (and notes), plan view, profile view, landing minimums, and airport diagram. [Figure 1-10] An examination of each section follows. Margin Identification The margin identification, at the top and bottom of the chart, depicts the airport location and procedure identification. The civil approach plates are organized by city, then airport name and state. For example, Orlando Executive in Orlando, Florida, is alphabetically listed under “O” for Orlando. Military approaches are organized by airport name first. The chart’s amendment status appears below the city and state in the bottom margin. The amendment number is followed by the five-digit julian-date of the last chart change.“05300” is read, “the 300th day of 2005.” At the center of the top margin is the FAA chart reference number and the approving authority. At the bottom center, the airport’s latitude and longitude coordinates are provided. If a chart is original, the date of issuance can be used instead of the julian-date. The procedure chart title (top and bottom margin area of Figure 1-10) is derived from the type of navigational facility providing final approach course guidance. A runway number is listed when the approach course is aligned within 30º of the runway centerline. This type of approach allows a straight-in landing under the right conditions. The type of approach followed by a letter identifies approaches that do not have straight-in landing minimums. Examples include procedure titles at the same airport, which have only circling minimums. The first approach of this type created