No Gyro Approach
No-Gyro approaches are required to safely and accurately maneuver the airplane in the event of attitude and heading indicators failure.
Introduction to No Gyro Approach
- No-Gyro approaches are required to safely and accurately maneuver the airplane without the use of the attitude and heading indicators in the event of a failure
- This means horizontal maneuvers must be made in response to ATC instructions on a radar instrument approach
- Test your understanding of No Gyro Approach by applying your knowledge in the interactive scenario, comparing your performance against the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and concluding with the topic summary to reinforce the key concepts before moving on to the next lesson.
WARNING:
All procedures are GENERALIZED.
Use the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) procedures for specific aircraft performance and limitations.
and/or current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
No Gyro Approach Key Highlights
- No-gyro approaches are radar-assisted instrument approaches used when aircraft heading indicators or gyroscopic instruments are inoperative.
- Air traffic control provides turn instructions based on radar observations to guide aircraft toward the final approach course.
- Pilots execute turns by starting and stopping turns in response to controller commands such as “start turn” and “stop turn.”
- Standard-rate turns are normally expected during no-gyro approach procedures unless otherwise instructed.
- No-gyro approaches require effective communication, situational awareness, and precise aircraft control during instrument conditions.
- Controller workload and radar update timing can affect the precision of no-gyro approach guidance.
- Pilots should advise ATC promptly when gyroscopic or heading instruments fail during instrument operations.
- Limited instrument capability increases workload and emphasizes the importance of partial panel flying proficiency.
- Missed approach procedures remain applicable during no-gyro approaches if landing conditions are not met safely.
- Understanding no-gyro approaches improves emergency preparedness, partial panel proficiency, and overall flight safety.
No-Gyro Approach Procedure
- Immediately follow air traffic control (ATC) instructions to “turn left,” “turn right,” or “stop turn.”
- Make standard-rate turns until ATC instructs you to make half-standard-rate turns on final approach.
- Determine the rate of descent needed to reach the minimum descent altitude (MDA) while complying with any intermediate altitude restrictions.
- Begin the descent when instructed by ATC and do not descend below the assigned MDA.
- Adjust power and pitch to maintain the planned rate of descent and reach MDA before the missed approach point.
- At each applicable approach fix, use the five T's to organize the required actions.
- Time: Start timing when required.
- Turn: Immediately comply with ATC's turn or stop-turn instruction.
- Twist: Verify that the OBS is set to inbound courses
- Throttle: Set the power and configuration needed for the appropriate approach speed.
- Talk: Make required reports and acknowledge ATC instructions.
- At 1000' above MDA, callout (over the ICS), "1000 above MDA"
- At 500' above MDA, call out (over the ICS), "500 above MDA," and complete a GUMP check
- At 100' above MDA, callout (over the ICS), "100' above MDA"
- Leveling off at the MDA, adjust power and pitch to maintain MDA until authorized to descend or until reaching the missed approach point.
- Initiate a descent from DA when the runway environment is in sight.
- Descend only when the required flight visibility exists, the aircraft is continuously positioned for a normal descent and landing, and an approved element of the runway environment is distinctly visible and identifiable.
- When using only the approach light system as the visual reference, do not descend below 100 feet above the touchdown-zone elevation unless the red terminating bars or red side-row bars are also visible.
- At the visual descent point (VDP), or when positioned to descend and land using normal maneuvers if no VDP is published, call out “Runway in sight, landing.”
- Set power and flaps appropriate for landing.
- If the required visual references are not distinctly visible and identifiable, remain at MDA until the missed approach point.
- At the missed approach point, call out “Missed approach” and execute the published missed approach procedure or comply with ATC instructions.
No Gyro Approach Interactive Scenario
Interactive Scenario
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No-Gyro Airman Certification Standards
No Gyro Approach Conclusion
- Consider actual versus realized performance when doing any performance calculations
- Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
No Gyro Approach References
- Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- Instrument Flying Handbook (9-5) Homing