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3 Answers

Gps approaches

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FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

Are gps precision or non precision, and where could i find this information?

3 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Apr 30, 2013

    Non-WAAS GPS approaches are non-precision approaches. These are LNAV and LNAV / VNAV minimums. Either WAAS or non-WAAS GPS receivers can use these minima. Refer the to AFM supplement or POH supplement for what you are allowed to use.

    LPV minima require a WAAS GPS receiver and is considered a precision approach.

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  2. John D. Collins on Apr 30, 2013

    Approaches that currently use GPS for the lateral guidance include: GPS Overlay approaches, Stand alone GPS approaches, and RNAV (GPS) approaches. All of the procedures that have a MDA charted are non precision. With the advent of WAAS, additional options are available including vertical guidance with a DA, in particular the LPV procedure. This is available on some of the RNAV (GPS) procedures. In spite of the fact that many LPV procedures have vertical guidance and a decision altitude, they are not classified as precision approaches as they don’t meet the ICAO definition of a precision approach. A new category has been added to describe these approaches – APV (Approach with Vertical). Precision approaches are the ILS and the PAR. There are a few approaches that use GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System) to provide a precision approach capability, but these are only currently available for some airline operators and there are no capable receivers for general aviation.

    You can read more about the various types of instrument procedures in the AIM, section 5-4-7 (a. 7.).

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  3. John D. Collins on Apr 30, 2013

    Wes,

    An LPV is not considered a precision approach other than for the purposes of demonstrating a precision approach on the instrument practical test if the DH meets the criteria. They are classified as APV as are the LNAV/VNAV, RNP AR, and LDA with GS. Currently the only precision approaches are the full ILS, PAR, and a very few GLS procedures. As a practical matter, one flies the LPV in a similar manner as the ILS and many LPV can have the same category 1 DH of 200 feet and 1/2 mile.

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