VOR/DME-A to RWY 24 ROA Virginia

[VADriver]

Gurus:

Why is the inbound course effectively a straight in to RWY 24 yet there is no straight in minima?

http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0612/00349VDA.PDF


Obstacle?

 

[Princedietrich]

The approach plate on the other end of that link is a VOR/DME-A approach that does not specify any particular runway. That being the case, this particular approach is for a circling approach that will service any of those runways, not just 24. Obviously, since the inbound course brings you right at 24, runway 24 would be the easiest of them to use. Since the station is on the field, the airport and the feds probably thought it would be easier and cheaper just to make a single -A approach that services the entire airport rather than plotting and publishing 4 different VOR approaches.

 

[CA1900]

No, that's not the reason. It it were a valid approach for circling and straight-in, it would have both published on the same plate.


There are two main reasons an approach cannot have straight-in minima:

• The final approach course is more than 30 degrees offset from the runway.
• The descent angle from the FAF to the runway threshold crossing height exceeds 400 feet per nautical mile.

Obviously the runway alignment isn't the issue, but the descent rate is. The approach you linked has a descent angle of 5.57 degrees, or about 590 feet per nautical mile -- too steep. The Instrument Flying Handbook discusses this on page 5-8.

If you break out early and can make a normal straight-in landing to 24, you can certainly do that. Circling doesn't mean you have to circle around the airport unnecessarily (and in Roanoke, I wouldn't).

Hope that helps.

 

[timeoff]

The Instrument Flying Handbook discusses this on page 5-8.

I think you meant the Instrument Procedures Handbook, page 5-8.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/

 

[CA1900]

Yep, I sure did; I haven't seen the IFH in a long, long time. Too late to go fix the link. Oh, well... Thanks for the correct link! Pretty good info in there.

 

[VADriver]

nice info..thanks. Why not just move the MAP further from the runway?

 

[FmrFreightDog]

Just remember, when you're shooting an approach to ROA, "Go-around is NOT an option....."

 

[DieselDash]

Now that made me laugh!!!!


I hate this approach under IMC conditions. Even with EGPWS it sucks. Better shooting the old reliable LDA to runway 6 or ILS 33.

 

[OPECJet]

Amen. Fly that VOR approach during VMC and you'll see what he's talking about. Way too close to the mountain....

I was thinking they canned that approach...

 

[PURPLEHAZE21]

CA1900,

Finally, someone with accurate info !!!

Former Beech Driver.