JFK VOR 4R Questions

[ShyFlyGuy]

You are given a vector to CRI at 2000', track the 140 radial outbound to BEBKE, cleared the VOR 4R, circle-to-land 31R. First question: Once crossing the IAF (BEBKE) and turning outbound on the teardrop entry, when MAY you begin descent? I see a hold in leu of a PT, so I'm thinking you may not descend until established on the inbound course, am I wrong? Second question: The published missed approach proceedure is a RIGHT turn 100 degree heading, but if you turn final and lose the airport before descending from circling MDA (640'), do you fly the published missed and turn RIGHT, or toward the center of the airport (LEFT)? Thanks in advance, Shy

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Crossing BEBKE you may descend down to 1500'.

I would then maintain 1500' in the PT until inbound and past BEBKE. Then you can descend to 640' to circle.

On the missed, whereever it might take place during the transition, I would go direct DPK via the 221 radial inbound.

 

[kngarthur]

You are given a vector to CRI at 2000', track the 140 radial outbound to BEBKE, cleared the VOR 4R, circle-to-land 31R. First question: Once crossing the IAF (BEBKE) and turning outbound on the teardrop entry, when MAY you begin descent? I see a hold in leu of a PT, so I'm thinking you may not descend until established on the inbound course, am I wrong? Second question: The published missed approach proceedure is a RIGHT turn 100 degree heading, but if you turn final and lose the airport before descending from circling MDA (640'), do you fly the published missed and turn RIGHT, or toward the center of the airport (LEFT)? Thanks in advance, Shy

I think you could descend in the holding pattern, because you crossed the final approch fix. I would clarify with the controller first, if i was in doubt. Good question though.

 

[kngarthur]

Crossing BEBKE you may descend down to 1500'.

I would then maintain 1500' in the PT until inbound and past BEBKE. Then you can descend to 640' to circle.

On the missed, whereever it might take place during the transition, I would go direct DPK via the 221 radial inbound.

Technically I think you would make a LEFT 270 turn, because you need to circle toward the airport.

 

[N1VIBS]

Dont have the approach chart with me, so can't say about the vor approach. However I was always taught when circling and you have to go missed, always turn TOWARD the airport to pick up the missed approach procedure.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I know the technical guidance is to turn towards the landing runway.

In this situation, lets say he goes missed just north of BEBKE or anywhere south or southeast of the runways during his circle transition. Instructions state that you need to head 100 degrees to ride the DPK 221 inbound.

If you go missed at any point prior to the landing or approach runways, turning 100 degrees to the right (to intercept the 221 inbound) would appear to be the best course of action. There isn't much point in turning towards the landing runway. Chances are, anytime you break off this particular approach under these specific circling conditons, you will most likely already be "turning towards the landing ruinway." This is due to the unique question being posed based on a particular approach - namely the JFK VOR 4R circle 31R.

Turning towards the landing runway during a circling approach is normally needed for orientation so as to become established on the MAP. Since the MAP is designed for the VOR 4R, a circle to a missed for 31R will make the transition to the MAP hold that much easier.

 

[ShyFlyGuy]

Here's AOPA's TERPS charts for JFK. Check out:
http://www.aopa.org/members/airports/ustprocs.cfm?ID=JFK

Shy

 

[30West]

The CRI 140 radial is only an identifying radial for BEBKE. Therefore if given 2000 until established, wait until BEBKE outbound until descending to 1500. Once you cross BEBKE in the hold, you are within protected airspace and therefore on a "published portion".

There is a published transition off of JFK VOR, the 208 degree radial to BEBKE with a published transition altitude of 1500.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Descending out of 1500' PT inbound (past BEBKE) for 640' and 31R, you're gonna either see the runway or not. If you need to go missed, this will occur either inbound towards 4R or circling for 31R. Either way, you're still TURNING TOWARDS THE LANDING RUNWAY by virtue of the circling approach. Going missed at any point will really only require that you head 100 degrees and intercept the DPK 221 inbound.

 

[SDCFI]

Missed approach depends on three things 1) Are you past the missed app point? 2) Are you below MDA? 3) Are you still established on the app course? Obstacle clearance on the missed is based on being at MDA at the missed app point. Once you begin the circle or go below MDA you are taking responsibility for obstacle clearance. The original question specifies going missed after turning final for 31R at MDA. At this point you are not established on the app course and are well past the MAP. Suppose there was a large hill or antenna farm just NE of the airport (See that 171ft twr on the plate? Imagine it's 800 or 1000ft.) Turning right toward the missed from short final to 31R could put you right into that, especially in a slow-climbing aircraft. Your best (read: safest) option would be like kngarthur said, do a left 270 back over the field which would put you close to the published missed app track. This may not be a big deal at JFK, but it can kill you very quickly in hilly terrain. Also you can always ask for an alternate missed in case you have to miss from the circle.

 

[Mr Wu]

Don't worry about the miss, they'll have you land from the circle.