NDB-B and NDB-C

[Rally]

Hi,

I was just looking for the true definition of the -A -B -C etc approach suffixes? I know they are used when a approach is a circling approach or when there is more than one approach. However, at Sanford, Fl (SFB) there is a NDB-B and NDB-C but no NDB-A or any other NDB for that matter. Why did they start at B? And I can't see any other airport in the vicinity that have a approach off of that NDB.


Thanks

 

[Groundskprwilly]

I think the A-B-C have to do with the minimums associated with the approach.

A- would be the lowest circling, B- the next lowest ect.

Look at the minimums on the plates to see...

 

[Rally]

Thats the thing. There is no A. Only -B and -C.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Thats the thing. There is no A. Only -B and -C.

Is there a VOR-A?

 

[MarineGrunt]

I don't have the time to look right now but check out AC61-27C. You might find the answer there......

 

[A Squared]

If it has a letter near the beginning of the alphabet, it means that it does not meet straight in approach criteria. If there is more than one straight in approach to the same runway which use the same NAV facility, they are given letters at the end of the alphabet. i.e.: ILS Z RWY 27 and ILS Y RWY 27.

The A, B, C do not indicate lower or higher minima, they merely reflect the sequence in which the approaches were designed. In the case of Sanford, there may be an NDB-A approach which is an unpublished special approach, or it may be that the NDB-A approach was dropped because it was no longer needed or became obsolete because of airspace or obstruction issues.

 

[Illini Pilot]

pretty much, if there is an approach such as the VOR-A, and it gets redesigned, etc, they relabel it -B, -C, etc. or if there is more than 1 non-straight in approach.

 

[TDTURBO]

pretty much, if there is an approach such as the VOR-A, and it gets redesigned, etc, they relabel it -B, -C, etc. or if there is more than 1 non-straight in approach.

Hmmm.I always thought that the "alpha" designation at the end of an approach referred to the fact that it is 30 degress or more of the extended centerline of the runway.

 

[cvsfly]

Hmmm.I always thought that the "alpha" designation at the end of an approach referred to the fact that it is 30 degress or more of the extended centerline of the runway.

Which makes it a "non-straight-in approach" i.e. circling.

 

[TDTURBO]

Which makes it a "non-straight-in approach" i.e. circling.

I guess what I was trying to do was be more precise regarding the original question asked. So if a VOR-A is 30 degrees, what's a B, or C? Is it just commision order like earlier stated or is their more to it?