Side-Step Maneuver

Aircraft that will execute a side-step maneuver will be cleared for a specified approach procedure and landing on the adjacent parallel runway.

Introduction

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

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

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
Still looking for something? Continue searching: