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...????