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Non-IFR..When is final approach determined?

  • Thread starter Thread starter zugzug
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zugzug said:
If you're on a straight in to a runway, at what distance or position are you actually on final approach? No FAF either. Just a VFR airport
I had this same argument with an Elmer Fudd on the ramp over at a small airport north of MSN. I called his bluff when I said go get the Feds. There is no reg on flying a straight in final.
 
I called his bluff when I said go get the Feds.

Facetious. If a Fed had showed... The Fed wouldn't have told you boo.
 
zugzug said:
If you're on a straight in to a runway, at what distance or position are you actually on final approach? No FAF either. Just a VFR airport.:confused:

I try to turn final at no more than a distance at which a power off touchdown can be made from TPA. I know this will very with different aircraft but I also know that an engine failure is most apt to occur when reducing power, or closing the throttle. I just have a thing about not reducing power until I know I can make a runway. This comes from knowing the equipment you fly. In most of what I fly, the point I see over the nose from 1000agl is where my wheels will touch the ground if I close the throttle.
So, my answer to your question is answer it yourself next time you're in the pattern.
Have fun but learn something when doing it.
 
How about:

1. Aligned with runway centerline
2. At a controlled descent (on established glidepath: VASI, ILS, calculated 3-degree--take your pick)
3. In landing configuration
4. At an altitude less than or equal to pattern altitude
 
Last edited:
Sniper Bob said:
How about:

1. Aligned with runway centerline
2. At a controlled descent (on established glidepath: VASI, ILS, calculated 3-degree--take your pick)
3. In landing configuration
4. At an altitude less than or equal to pattern altitude

All of these can be established many many miles from the A/P. So, if your on a 10 mile final... You are right of way to all others?
 
zugzug said:
All of these can be established many many miles from the A/P. So, if your on a 10 mile final... You are right of way to all others?

You can be on glide path 10 miles out, but you will not be below pattern altitude.
 
zugzug said:
By the way, does anyone know what zugzug means?
It's an ancient tribal ritual during which natives sodomize captured missionaries. Also known as bungawa, depending on who's telling the joke.
 
A Squared said:
It's an ancient tribal ritual during which natives sodomize captured missionaries. Also known as bungawa, depending on who's telling the joke.

I know that joke...


"...DEATH BY ZUGZUG!!!" haha
 
A Squared said:
It's an ancient tribal ritual during which natives sodomize captured missionaries. Also known as bungawa, depending on who's telling the joke.
I thought it was "death by boogalooga"??
 
Bob

You can be on glide path 10 miles out, but you will not be below pattern altitude.

Ummkay, so how many miles from the runway do the glidepath and pattern alt. intersect? BTW... I recall saying "NO ILS".
 
zugzug said:
You can be on glide path 10 miles out, but you will not be below pattern altitude.

Ummkay, so how many miles from the runway do the glidepath and pattern alt. intersect? BTW... I recall saying "NO ILS".

Many VFR-only runways have a VASI. If they don't, you could probably use some pilot math and calculate your own 3 degree glide slope.

As for how far out the glideslope intersects pattern altitude, use the trig you learned in high school. Let me help: one angle of the triangle is 3 degrees, and the leg opposite the known angle is 1000 feet. I'm sure there's a math formula to figure the leg adjacent the known angel. I could tell you, but you wouldn't learn anything.
 
I'm feeling a hint of smartass in your reply

Well, you never answered the question with anything but whimsical advice. I guess you can't answer it.

Ahhh screw it! As I said before, I was looking for something concrete. Nobody had it so

Die thread DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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