Initial Approach Fixes, FAFs and a rant!
Hi Folks,
Just did a trip today with a check airman, and got into 'discussion' He was of the opinion that an IAF need not be published on an approach plate. My argument was that it has to be published. My logic being that an IAF is basically a transition from the enroute environment, to the terminal environment. To which his response was what if the controller clears you to intercept the localizer from present heading and clears you for the approach. My question is what if you're lost comms, where do you commence the approach from, before flying the full approach? Im just a first officer monkey in the right seat, so am I talking through my hat? I pulled out some random approach plates to show him that every instrument approach has a published IAF, to which he asked me if I was testing him... But thats a whole 'nother story! Help me out here guys!