Recommended Altitude

[spacemantan]

G'day All,

A discussion began at work the other day regarding "Recommended Altitudes" as depicted on FAA terminal approach charts, and as defined in AIM.

Essentially I was wondering if anyone could provide an accurate definition and explain whether or not "Recommended Altitudes" provide sufficient terrain / obstacle separation.

Unfortunately AIM does not help, nor any other publication I can get my hands on.

Thanks in advance

[glendalegoon]

there are mandatory altitudes which you must comply with

or else!


there are altitudes at or above

there are the type you refer to which is good practice and usually works well with standard rates of descent as in a glideslope whether present or not.

but if you didn't use these altitudes and did it YOUR WAY and got away with it, ok. but if you crashed and didn't use them, someone would be on your butt big time in court.

I am 99 percent sure that in the introduction of the jepp book (approach plates) that all the definitions are there!


good luck from your friends in the USA