Here’s video from a recent IFR proficiency flight from Boeing Field (KBFI) to Arlington, WA (KAWO). After a departure in IMC, I flew the RNAV RWY 34 approach to LPV minimums at KAWO, using the GFC 600 autopilot for the approach and the TOGA feature for a coupled missed approach. Notice the glory as I cruise just above a solid cloud deck with the sun at my back. This video also shows my use of cockpit and avionics flows followed by checklists to prepare for an approach. For more information about those techniques, see the following videos: To learn more about how I set up the displays in my ..read more

To learn how bearing pointers can help you develop and maintain situational awareness, follow this link to my article in the September 2023 issue of AOPA Pilot magazine ..read more

My article about using VNAV is in the August issue of AOPA Flight Training magazine, here. I tried to address the most common questions and mixups that I see when folks use VNAV while flying approaches. To see VNAV in action, watch this video at my YouTube channel ..read more

The FAA Instrument Procedures Information Gateway now includes the new RNAV approaches to runways 14R and 32L at Boeing Field (KBFI) in Seattle that are scheduled to go live on August 10, 2023. Boeing Field management contracted with Hughes Aerospace Corporation to develop these approaches, but they will be public use, and the charts will appear in the databases in EFBs and panel avionics. Note that these are not Authorization Required (AR) approaches (for more information about that topic, see Unscrambling RNAV, RNP, and Other Chart Naming Conventions and Notes). The new approach to runw ..read more

I recently ran across the RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 N Approach approach at Pullman, WA (KPUW). Note the N in the procedure title. This approach appears in the procedures listed for KPUW in the GTN 750Xi in the Garmin PC Trainer Suite. But you won’t find a chart for this approach because it’s a Special Instrument Flight Procedure (aka, a non-Part 97 approach). Section 1-6-5. Non-Part 97 Approach Procedure Naming in ORDER 8260.3E (part of TERPS) explains the naming conventions for such special procedures: …straight-in approach procedures will be designated with the suffix ..read more

The May 2023 issue of AOPA Pilot magazine includes PBN Bingo, an article I wrote to help pilots understand the key acronyms, abbreviations, and other terms associated with performance based navigation. I also have a presentation on the topic on my YouTube channel: Unscrambling RNAV, RNP, and Other Chart Naming Conventions and Notes ..read more

Charts for instrument procedures include a lot of information, and IFR pilots learn to brief departures, arrivals, and approaches as part of the preparation for takeoff, descent, and landing. Often, however, those briefings aren’t especially effective, because the pilot or crew just recites data on the chart and doesn’t actually prepare to fly the procedure by describing a plan that includes details such as how: You will join the procedure. You will use and monitor navigation sources (GPS or ground-based navaids) to track the initial and final approach segments of the procedure and to enhance ..read more

I’ve been testing the latest system software in my Garmin avionics and checking out the A36 after its annual inspection. A break in the weather allowed a scenic VFR flight from Boeing Field (KBFI) to Tillamook, OR (KTMK) and a practice RNAV RWY 13 approach using the automation available with the Garmin GTN 500Txi, GTN 750Xi, and GFC 600 autopilot. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Oregon coast south of Astoria as I descend into KTMK ..read more

Sometimes just one cloud gets in the way when you’re flying an instrument approach. In this video, I fly the RNAV (GPS) RWY 35 approach at Olympia, WA (KOLM), southwest of Seattle. Although the weather was mostly good VMC, and the Olympia airport was operating under VFR during my flight, as you’ll see, I had to go missed on the approach when I reached the MDA on this LNAV-only procedure because just one cloud blocked the view of the runway. Because I have a WAAS-capable Garmin GTN 750Xi in the panel, I almost always have at least advisory vertical guidance when I fly an approach. The GTN show ..read more

Here’s a look at a mostly bygone type of instrument approach: a PAR—precision approach radar—procedure. When you fly a PAR, a specially trained controller uses a short-range, highly accurate radar display to talk you down. The controller guides you left and right to remain on the extended runway centerline while also directing you to adjust your descent to follow the proper vertical path. In effect, you fly an ILS, but instead of using localizer and glideslope indicators to help you remain on track, you follow the controller’s instructions. PAR were standard practice, especially at military a ..read more