Expert: Colin Woehrle - 12/8/2005

Question
Colin,

Specifically Houston Interncontinental (IAH) ILS 26L and ILS 27. One of them has a Initial approach fix and the other one does not. They are both precision approaches and radar is required. Why does one have an initial approach fix and the other one does not? Also, on the one that does not have an IAF, is there one, that is just not printed? Or does it just simply does not have an IAF.

Hope this makes sense.

Thanks,
Korey Mote



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Followup To
Question -
Colin,

I am trying to find out something on an approach plate. On some of the Jeppessen Approach plates there is an initial approach fix and a final approach fix and some there are not. I know Houston Intercontinental is one of them.

I wonder why some have an initial approach fix and some do not?

Thanks,
Korey Mote
Answer -
Hi Korey,

Thanks for the great question. All approaches will have an IAF, and a lot of the time a separate FAF. However some IAF's are co-located with the FAF and therefore you will only see "IAF" on the planview of the approach plate and you will see the maltese cross symbol on the profile portion which signifies the FAF. Precision approaches should always have a FAF, but often nonprecision approach plates show no FAF, such as on an approach which incorporates an on-ariport VOR or NDB. So point like this is usually where the procedure turn intersects the final approach course inbound. This would be refered to as the "final approach point" instead of a FAF and the final approach segment ends either at the designated missed approach point or when you land.

Hope this clears things up. If it doesn't, and you have more specific details (perhaps the name of the approach in question), please feel free to ask another question. Thanks!

Colin

Answer
Hi Korey,

This is a REALLY great question. I've looked at the ILS to RWYs 26L, 27, and 26R at IAH. The reason the ILS to RWY 27 and 26R have no IAF is because ATC will only offer and/or authorize you to fly them via radar vectors (radar is required). This is something you are generally going to find at major airports. If you look at all three runways with the same final approach course inbound it makes sense that they wouldn't want three different airplanes flying full procedures to each runway when the approach courses are so close together. In other words, they want to have more control of each aircraft to provide better separation for safety reasons. I've checked with other CFII's as well as AOPA to confirm this answer. Thanks so much!

Colin