Toughest US Approach?

[Fury220]

You mean this one?

http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/pdfs/00354HI21.PDF

IAF is JENOM now, used to be ABUCK iirc. Was often on the checkride for the REE pilots.

This approach, while challenging, really isn't too bad.

You just have to realize the "gotchas" on the plate: You're riding a DME arc to intercept the localizer, but, as you intercept the localizer, you have to tune the localizer DME. If you don't look closely at the plate, you'll forget that your 16 DME arc is only 10 DME or so from the runway threshold. If you thought you had plenty of time to slow/configure...you thought wrong.

As with any high altitude penetration, as long as you have 30 seconds prior to starting to compute the descent rates you'll need, it's a piece of cake.


I've flown the approach a couple times and here's the sad thing: it's probably the most interesting thing about Roswell, NM.

In the FBO there, you can buy T-Shirts that say "I Survived the Widowmaker" IIRC.

 

[Fury220]

This one at KLBB is pretty interesting:

http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/pdfs/00241HVDTA.PDF

You've got all this to contend with if you start at JAZDE:
1. If you're TACAN-only, you won't get course guidance on the outbound leg (235 radial) until about a mile prior to starting your turn to intercept the arc.
2. The 10DME arc is over before you can bat an eye, and the course intercept inbound is a pain.
3. The FAF is the VORTAC, and then the final approach course involves a turn.
4. It's a circling approach that no-kidding spits you out right on top of the field.

I've never had a student do it correctly on the first attempt. We usually end up on the arc with about 10 degrees nose low attitude with the boards out at 300KIAS, then configuration happens late as we cross the FAF.

 

[gkrangers]

Throw in the Circle to the perpindicular runway and you've got fun on a platter. FSI used to give us that one, single engine, night, reduced vis in the Shorts sim...

Eric

The lights on the ground are like a frikkin yellow brick road, what are you complaining about? jk

 

[AK737FO]

The Great State

Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Sitka, Red Dog, Kodiak and Adak are usually fun when done round dial.
The old NDB-A to Cordova use to be my favorite, but it's gone now.

 

[81Horse]

Dutch Harbor was always good sport, too. Especially in a 737.

 

[LowlyPropCapt]

MVY & ACK because they allways lie on the ATIS. VIS 1/2mile my ass

Hah! Roger that!!!!

 

[A Squared]

Indian Mountain NDB. When the approach plate reads:

Missed approach improbable due to rising terrain.


You know you have to be on your best game

The approach at Indian Mountain isn't particularly tough It's a butt-simple NDB approach, just like thousands of others.

That is not what the plate says. It actually says: sucessful go-around improbable if initiated past MAP. That's a very different story than "missed approach improbable" the missed approach gives you the same protection that any other missed approach designed in accordance with the TERPS gives you.

 

[FreightPup]

The toughest one is backing the boat trailer into my driveway!

 

[BizPilot]

Jackson's Hole

"Jackson's Hole", Wyoming

http://www.airnav.com/depart?http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0604/00504VD19.PDF

Or, Leadville, Colorado
(Highest Airport 9927ft)

http://www.airnav.com/depart?http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0604/09146G16.PDF

What does "VGSI and descent angles not coincident" mean??

BETTER HAVE O2 for Both!!

 

[wt219200]

What does "VGSI and descent angles not coincident" mean??

It means dont watch the VASI

If you can see it

 

[peter185]

The HI-ILS RWY 3 into San Angelo is another interesting penetration approach.

 

[Sig]

ASE is odd- I treated it like a backwards alternate with the county planned destination. If we can't see the field over Red Table, WE AIN'T TRYIN'.

As a visual approach, ASE ranks with the DCA/LGA visuals as the most fun- I kept getting 14,000' base legs called from the tower. Tons of FUN, not a challenge with the entry-level plane (P-Baron) I was flying (the analyzers helped tremendously babysitting the engines), and got one on tape (ex-wife in the right seat). It has to be a riot in a Lear or Falcon, but they's much mo' of a pylot than I is.

 

[stratman560]

VFR at Jackson, WY, coming from the west. Clear the Tetons at 16k and crank around and down with the boards out for the visual to 19. Fun! Wouldn't say its the most challenging but it'll get your attention.

 

[AA717driver]

Toughest ?

Probably KASE


ATC- induced toughest ? (usually due to being left high and fast)

LOC 27 at KSAN

ILS 19R at KSNA

The Quiet Bridge Visual to 28 at KSFO


Best for sheer flying fun ?

The River Vis to 19 at KDCA

The VOR 13L at KJFK (aka "The Canarsie Approach")

Yep. That about covers it for me.TC

P.S.--Alaska doesn't count. Those approaches are just crazy.

 

[SSDD]

Maybe I've just been doing this too long...KASE Loc DME 15, definately has some pucker factor to it, but SNA, SAN, SFO...????

 

[Say Again Over]

but SNA, SAN, SFO...????

:laugh: :laugh:

 

[Lostdog65]

The lights on the ground are like a frikkin yellow brick road, what are you complaining about? jk

I take it you've done this one huh!? In real life it might be better but in the SIM...you lose the runways due to limited visuals...you're down to counting 20 seconds, turn and hope you've got the runway...and not the coast line!!

But the one with the lead-in lights...well...they only gave us that once a year...almost too easy to screw up and yet I did on my first try!!

Eric

 

[EagleRJ]

KBOS- LOC 15R, circle to 4L in the Saab was sporting. Oh yeah, hold short of 15L and don't overshoot final because there's a plane landing 4R.

The "Special VFR Arrival Procedure" into Wichita Falls/Sheppard AFB when the training wing is flying. Some of those T-38s got a real close look at us!

 

[GVFlyer]

The HI-ILS RWY 3 into San Angelo is another interesting penetration approach.

I used to give the Tallahassee HI-VOR/DME or TACAN RWY 36 approach with the 17,000 foot IAF to pilots on Qual Checks, but now-a-days the LOC/DME-E at Aspen is sporting enough for me. If I'm not VMC and on speed at Red Table I'm going to Rifle.

GV

 

[Flyerjosh]

LDA 6 at ROA

Anybody can fly the LDA 6. Real men fly the straight in visual to 15 and wave to the hikers over on McAfee's Knob. (Heh heh heh).

I always enjoyed the Expressway Visual to LGA. If done correctly (with the turn to final inside of the apartments) it's quite a ride.

 

[AA717driver]

If I'm not VMC and on speed at Red Table I'm going to Rifle.

GV

I'm hearing that more and more. We do the VOR with ALLIX as the MAP. That way we can duck up the valley and lose some altitude. That's kind of sketchy IMO.

I'm thinking of starting a movement for using Red Table as the limit.TC

P.S.--Prior to actually using EVS, some guys were suggesting we could start doing night arrivals into ASE with the EVS. Yeah, right...

Also, the issue of the out of rig flap has apparently died quietly on the MX shop floor. Guess I'll just have to keep gritting my teeth.

 

[Diesel]

I still go to allix but thats about as far as I'll go. Good thing we have high company mins for that place.

Of course I did watch CS circle to the other runway. It was weird clearing the runway with a 5kt tailwind and watch an Xl go into the valley, go behind a mountain and pop out the other side on final.

I was in SUN whan a Beechjet hit a flock of birds on final. We rode to the hotel in the van with them. They were talking about how they were landing no matter what. The weren't sure what the damage was to the engines and there was a lot and they knew they couldn't go around into the valley.

Gotta love those rich mountain airports.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,
From personal experience I'll vote for the ILS 23 BLF...4700' runway, no approach lights or visual approach aids...Built on top of a mountain holler in West Virginia...Also, has high terrain in all quadrants... Fun stuff!!!

 

[Kaman]

Yeah....How about ILS 33 circle to land on 06 at night???

 

[Izzy Roxx]

Somebody mentioned something about the LDA to 06 at ROA. I'd have to get to my plates and do some thinking - but as I remember, this approach is a total booby trap.

Does it have a G/S - I seem to remember that it does ?

Anyways - G/S unusable below DH. LDA - read maneuvering below DH. Mountains. VASI cannot be seen before alignment with the runway. Read - maneuver below MDA/DH (whatever it is) with no vertical guidance until finished with the rollout to final.

Went in there as PIC at Mesaba years ago in a Saab. Went missed - asked for vectors, told to fly the published (climbing right turn to join some radial with the missed holding fix identified by a cross radial). Flew to within .3 of the holding fix, then given vectors for another approach (jerk). Just inside the marker - Allegheny reported missed, we bailed and went to Charleston.

Anywho - trap. How about Eagle, Colorado ?

Seen some seriously screwed up approaches into DCA, both from the cockpit and the jumpseat.

What environment are we talking about. I can remember in the commuter days - "cleared to join the XYZ 10 DME arc, cleared for the NDB to AB". Did it with eyes closed. Went to majors - would have taken out the flask on that clearance.

Majors dilute those fine skills - environment erodes abilities.

 

[Comin-In-Hot]

VOR/DME to 1 at Jackson Hole is rather insane. 2 step downs on a rather short arc, followed by 4 stepdowns on the final approach course. If you're lucky the tops of the clouds will show you the tetons as you descend into the clag. Fun times for all.

 

[gkrangers]

I take it you've done this one huh!? In real life it might be better but in the SIM...you lose the runways due to limited visuals...you're down to counting 20 seconds, turn and hope you've got the runway...and not the coast line!!

But the one with the lead-in lights...well...they only gave us that once a year...almost too easy to screw up and yet I did on my first try!!

Eric

One of these days I'll ask approach for it in a 172...

 

[Fury220]

KBOS- LOC 15R, circle to 4L in the Saab was sporting. Oh yeah, hold short of 15L and don't overshoot final because there's a plane landing 4R.

The "Special VFR Arrival Procedure" into Wichita Falls/Sheppard AFB when the training wing is flying. Some of those T-38s got a real close look at us!

You're talking about coming in over the VORTAC and then flying the curve for Rwy 17? Yeah...you're basically 500' under the T-38 pattern.

 

[unreal]

ASE is odd- I treated it like a backwards alternate with the county planned destination. If we can't see the field over Red Table, WE AIN'T TRYIN'.

As a visual approach, ASE ranks with the DCA/LGA visuals as the most fun- I kept getting 14,000' base legs called from the tower. Tons of FUN, not a challenge with the entry-level plane (P-Baron) I was flying (the analyzers helped tremendously babysitting the engines), and got one on tape (ex-wife in the right seat). It has to be a riot in a Lear or Falcon, but they's much mo' of a pylot than I is.

I flew the Roaring Fork visual into ASE once in a turbo seminole. Not really a challenging approach for that airplane, but it's still a turbocharged twin and the engines needed to be taken care of. It really is a gorgeous approach...I wish I could find the video of it my friend took from the right seat.

 

[Pantherjon]

VOR/DME to 1 at Jackson Hole is rather insane. 2 step downs on a rather short arc, followed by 4 stepdowns on the final approach course. If you're lucky the tops of the clouds will show you the tetons as you descend into the clag. Fun times for all.

Mayhap that is why it is called a 'Hole'?..lol

Sorry couldn't resist..Don't think I would want to land in a hole..:nuts: