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11 Answers

Side Step Approach

Asked by: 15807 views Airspace, FAA Regulations

Some approach plates have published side-step minimums to parellel runways. However, some parallel runways do not have published side-step mins.

1. Can ATC clear you to side-step to a runway that does not have published "side-step" mins?

2. If # 1 is applicable, what is the visibility/ceiling mins. for a side-step approach for which no minimums are published on the approach plate?

3. Why don't all parallel runways have published side-step mins?

11 Answers



  1. Wedge on May 21, 2013

    Hey Dan,
    1. No they cannot. If there are no side-step minimums published, you may however still land on a parallel runway with clearance. It would simply be a circling approach, and you must adhere to published circling minimums.

    2. Again, side-step is not applicable, so circling mins.

    3. Side-step approaches are generally published for airports where they may be used regularly. They have numerous potential advantages, including lower minimums than LOC approaches, increasing the volume of arriving/departing traffic, as well as shortening taxi distances for arriving aircraft. Additionally, parallel runways must be within 1200′ of each other in order to qualify for a side-step procedure. If runways are further apart than 1200′ or if there are no appreciable advantages to side-step procedures, they will not be published.

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  2. Dan Chitty on May 21, 2013

    Wedge,

    Thank you for the great explanation.

    For clarity, would I have to actually circle to land on the opposite direction runway or simply use the published circling mins. but be able to land on the parallel runway?

    Example with no published side step mins.:

    1. On approach to runway 18L use circling mins. to land (side step) to 18R

    2. On approach to runway 18L use circling mins. and actually do a circle to land on 36L / 36R

    Thank you for the feedback.

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  3. Ale on May 26, 2013

    Hello!

    1. Yes, ATC can clear you for a side-step procedure provided:
    a. At the time clearance received, your altitude, position, & x-wind component allow safe side-stepping visually
    2. Circling is NOT a side-step procedure. You should use circling min ONLY when the ATC specifically clears you for it. When circling to land, the following basic rules apply:
    “1. Maneuver the shortest path to the base or downwind leg, as appropriate,
    considering existing weather conditions. There is no restriction from passing over the airport or other runways as well.
    “2. It should be recognized that circling maneuvers may be made while VFR or other flying is in progress at the airport. Standard left turns or specific instruction from the controller for maneuvering must be considered when circling to land.

    Note: At this airport DCA (RNAV (RNP) RWY 19), side-step procedure is frequent.

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  4. John D. Collins on May 26, 2013

    Ale,

    I don’t see anywhere in 7110.65 that the controller may issue a clearance for a side-step maneuver unless the approach has a published side-step MDA. Section 4-8-7 of 7110.65 states:

    4−8−7. SIDE−STEP MANEUVER

    TERMINAL

    Side-step Maneuver. When authorized by an instrument approach procedure, you may clear an aircraft for an approach to one runway and inform the aircraft that landing will be made on a parallel runway.
    EXAMPLE−
    “Cleared I−L−S Runway seven left approach. Side-step to runway seven right.”
    NOTE− Side-step maneuvers require higher weather minima/MDA. These higher minima/MDA are published on the instrument approach charts.

    At a non towered airport, ATC doesn’t clear the aircraft for circling.

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  5. Dan Chitty on May 28, 2013

    John,

    Thank you for the feedback.

    For clarity, if performing a instrument approach in IFR weather conditions (ILS to runway 18L for example), the approach plate must have published side step mins. for runway 18R.?

    Is this correct?

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  6. Dan Chitty on May 31, 2013

    John,

    For clarity, if performing a instrument approach in IFR weather conditions (ILS to runway 18L for example), the approach plate must have published side step mins. for runway 18R.?

    Is this correct?

    Thank you for the feedback.

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  7. Derico on Jul 12, 2013

    Did DFW have circling minimuns. I check all the charts and I didnt find it. Can I do a circling approach in DFW.

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  8. Derico on Jul 12, 2013

    I check all the charts of DFW and I dont find the minimuns to do a circling approach. Can I do circling approach at DFW. I only found sidestep manuever.
    Thanks.

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  9. Mark Kolber on Jul 13, 2013

    Derico, I haven’t looked at all the DFW charts but ask yourself this question (and think about it) while looking at the chart for the ILS or LOC RWY 13R:

    What’s the minimum altitude at which you may fly around 1 foot below the cloud deck and be guaranteed you won’t hit an obstacle while maneuvering within 1.5 miles of any runway away in an approach category B airplane?

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  10. Mark Kolber on Jul 13, 2013

    Dan, no, it does not appear there have to be published side-step minimums. If the runways are less than 1200′ apart, the assumption is that the non-precision MDA will apply unless separate side-step minimums are published.

    See AIM 5-4-19 and the side-step discussion in Chapter 10 of the Instrument Flying Handbook.

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  11. Dan Chitty on Jul 13, 2013

    Thank you for the feedback.

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