Side Step Maneuver
Some instrument approaches require a lateral transition to align with a different runway before landing. Understanding the side-step maneuver helps pilots recognize when visual references permit a safe shift from the published approach course while maintaining stabilized descent and traffic awareness.
Introduction to Side Step Maneuver
- ATC may authorize a standard instrument approach procedure, which serves either one of parallel runways that are separated by 1,200' or less, followed by a straight-in landing on the adjacent runway
Side-Step Procedure
- Aircraft that will execute a side-step maneuver will be cleared for a specified approach procedure and landing on the adjacent parallel runway
- "Cleared ILS runway 7 left approach, side-step to runway 7 right"
- Side-step maneuvers should be executed as soon as possible after spotting the runway environment
- Compliance with minimum altitudes associated with step-down fixes is expected even after the side-step maneuver is initiated
- Side-step minima are flown to a MDA regardless of the approach authorized
- Published for true side-steps
- Circling minimums if no published maneuvers
- Landing minimums to the adjacent runway will be based on non-precision criteria and therefore higher than the precision minimums to the primary runway, but will normally be lower than the published circling minimums
Side Step Maneuver Conclusion
- To learn more about instrument procedures, be sure to check out the Instrument Procedures Handbook online or in paperback
- Pilots can visit the FAA's Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway to review and submit questions related to the how and why certain procedures are as they are
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