What does Z mean on an approach plate?

“When two or more straight-in approaches with the same type of guidance exist for a runway, the FAA adds a letter suffix to the title of the approach for identification purposes. These approach charts start with the letter Z and continue in reverse alphabetical order.

What is GPS A approach?

What is a GPS Approach? The Global Positioning System (GPS) Approach is defined by a series of waypoints and altitude restrictions that the pilot will follow to the runway threshold, free of conventional guidance such as a localizer/glideslope etc.

What are the different GPS approaches?

Steering cues for the most common RNAV GPS approach types range from lateral, left-right guidance for LNAV and LP approaches (left primary flight display view) to those adding vertical guidance—the LNAV/VNAV and LPV approaches, as shown in the right primary flight display view.

Is ILS better than RNAV?

RNAV approaches are safer and also simpler to use and manage than standard navaids such as VOR’s and ILS’s, which must be checked for flight under such tolerances.

Is RNAV the same as GPS?

The term “RNAV” allows pilots to use various means of area navigation, including but not requiring GPS. They enable specific VOR/DME RNAV equipment to create waypoints on the final approach path by virtually “moving” the VOR a specific DME distance along a charted radial.

Can you use GPS for a VOR approach?

GPS can be used in lieu of DME and ADF on all localizer-type approaches as well as VOR/DME approaches, including when charted NDB or DME transmitters are temporarily out of service. It also clarifies that IFR GPS satisfies the requirement for DME at and above Flight Level 240 specified in FAR 91

What is the difference between RNAV and GPS?

Required Navigation Performance (RNP) is a form of navigation that allows an aircraft to fly directly between two 3D points in space. The fundamental difference between RNP and RNAV is that RNP requires on-board performance monitoring and alerting capability.

What are the types of RNAV approaches?

RNAV approaches vary on capabilities. For example: LNAV (lateral navigation); LNAV +V (lateral navigation with advisory glide slope); LNAV/VNAV (lateral/vertical navigation). Some RNAV approaches will also have LPV (localizer performance with vertical guidance) known as APV approaches.

What approaches can you do without WAAS?

LNAV, or lateral navigation, is a less sensitive type of GPS approach that typically allows descents to about 400 feet above the runway with the right equipment—and you don’t need WAAS to legally fly an LNAV approach. Any IFR-approved GPS receiver will do.

What’s the difference between RNAV and GPS?

Does ILS use GPS?

A relatively new situation where you will find multiple approaches of the same type to the same runway end are ILS approaches for which GPS is required. These procedures feature GPS-based routing leading to a conventional ILS final segment.

What’s the name of a GPS stand alone approach?

A stand-alone GPS approach title might be GPS RWY 8. Another type is this RNAV (GPS) RWY 5 approach. Under the naming convention, “RNAV (GPS) IAPs are authorized as stand-alone approaches for aircraft equipped with RNAV systems that contain an airborne navigation database and are certified for instrument approaches.”

What is the accuracy of a GPS approach?

On any GPS approach, the satellite constellation must permit an accuracy of ± 0.3 mile full scale from the FAF to the MAP. For LNAVs, the receiver typically does a RAIM integrity check about 2 miles before the FAF and warns you if the accuracy is insuf- ficient.

Are there any problems with the GPS system?

In many cases, a device’s GPS hardware is working fine, but its mapping software is faulty. For example, users are often misled by: The U.S. government cannot correct mapping errors in consumer devices. Please report them to the responsible parties using the links in our Address, Route, and Map Problems section.

Which is GPS approach overlaid with nonprecision IAP?

A GPS approach overlaid on another nonprecision IAP has GPS added to the title as shown for Palm Springs. A stand-alone GPS approach title might be GPS RWY 8. Another type is this RNAV (GPS) RWY 5 approach.