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Getting onto an approach not depicted for ATC

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FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating

The other day I was flying some VFR practice approaches for currency.  I let ATC know the approach I wanted to fly, and they just told me to let them know when I was established.  At that point I was probably 20 miles from the airport and not anywhere close to the approach.

I asked if they could give me vectors, and although they did give me a vector to head toward the approach, they said the approach itself was not depicted on their chart so I couldn't get vectors to final.  This approach also didn't have a course reversal at any of its fixes.

So a couple questions...

  •  If I were on a real IFR flight plan, would ATC vector me such that I could fly direct to an initial approach fix and intercept the approach course with less than a certain degree turn at the IAF?  If they don't have the approach depicted, do they know what radial off the IAF the approach follows?
  • Are the rules for what angle turn we can make onto the approach course at various fix types consolidated somewhere?  E.g. IAF on an ILS, IF on an RNAV, etc.

Thanks,
Matt

3 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    John D Collins on Oct 01, 2021

    I believe the controller has access to all approach procedure charts in their area. Not all approach procedures are depicted on their radar screen, particularly if the controller is a center controller, so in that case, the controller is not authorized to vector you to the final approach course. An approach begins at an IAF, so you may be cleared to the IAF. If you are on a random RNAV route to the IAF and it does not have a PT or HILPT depicted, ATC may vector you to intercept the IAF or an IF at 90 degrees or less and you can also join the approach at a step down fix inside the IF and before the FAF as long as the intercept angle is 30 degrees or less. If you are on an airway, then usually there will be a feeder route charted on the approach procedure. In some instances, the procedure may not have an IAF and it begins at an IF, but in that case, radar is required to join the approach and it will be depicted on the controllers radar screen.

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  2. Matt C on Oct 01, 2021

    Hi John,

    If I understand correctly, ATC would have access to the approach plate even if they don’t have the approach course on their radar screen. They would need to cross-reference the plate to determine if the route the controlled aircraft is on allows it to intercept an IAF at <90 degrees, or an IF at <30 degrees. If not, they would need to provide vectors to put the aircraft in a position where it will meet those conditions before clearing them direct the approach fix.

    Is that all right?

    Thanks,
    Matt

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  3. John D Collins on Oct 01, 2021

    Matt,

    Correct, that is my understanding.

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