Aircraft Operations. Volume II - Construction of Visual and Instrument ...

I-4-5-2 Procedures — Aircraft Operations — Volume II
5.2.2.3.2 Minimum distance. The distance between the runway threshold and the point at which the final approach
track intersects the runway centre line shall not be less than 1 400 m (see Figure I-4-5-1).
5.2.2.4 Final approach track angle for helicopters. For helicopters, the final approach track shall intersect the
final approach and take-off area (FATO) axis at an angle not exceeding 30° and at a distance not less than 400 m from
the FATO. When the final approach track does not intersect the extended axis of the FATO, the track shall lie within
75 m of it laterally at a point 400 m from the FATO.
23/11/06
5.2.3 Circling approach
The circling approach contains the visual phase of flight after completing an instrument approach, to bring an aircraft
into position for landing on a runway that for operational reasons is not suitably located for straight-in approach. In
addition, when the final approach track alignment or the descent gradient does not meet the criteria for a straight-in
landing, only a circling approach shall be authorized and the track alignment should ideally be made to the centre of the
landing area. When necessary, the final approach track may be aligned to pass over some portion of the usable landing
surface. In exceptional cases, it may be aligned beyond the aerodrome boundary, but in no case beyond 1.9 km
(1.0 NM) from the usable landing surface (see Figure I-4-5-2).
5.3 DESCENT GRADIENT
5.3.1 Gradient/angle limits
5.3.1.1 Minimum/optimum descent gradient/angle. The minimum/optimum descent gradient is 5.2 per cent for the
final approach segment of a non-precision approach with FAF (3° for a precision approach or approach with vertical
guidance). Descent gradients steeper than the optimum should not be used unless all other means to avoid obstacles
have been attempted since these steeper descent gradients may result in rates of descent which exceed the
recommended limits for some aircraft on final approach.
5.3.1.2 Maximum descent gradient/angle. The maximum descent gradient is:
a) for non-precision procedures with FAF:
6.5 per cent for a non-precision approach for Cat A and B aircraft (Cat H: 10 per cent); and
6.1 per cent for Cat C, D and E aircraft;
b) for a non-precision approach with no FAF, see Table I-4-5-1;
c) 3.5° for an approach with vertical guidance; and
d) for precision approaches:
3.5° for a Cat I precision approach; and
3° for Cat II and III precision approaches.