Instrument approach direct entry sector?

[Axel-Flo]

Dear All, can anyone help me find the rules (or give an answer) laid down for instrument approaches and the limits involved. Not specific to an airfield but in general. Specifically what is the maximum allowed turn (ie. +/- the reciprocal of the outbound heading) from a beacon to proceed directly outbound for a procedural approach? Also on a non-precision approach with no mandatory 3 degree glide path (the one I'm thinking of was a Lctr/DME) but a miles versus height/altitude graph included on the plate (and no step fix) can you, after the FAF, descend to and maintain MDH/A to the MAP not withstanding the max permitted rate of descent of 800ft/NM? I think it was called direct penetration and +/- 30 degrees rings a bell but I can't find it written down.

[El Desperado]

The answer to these, and all other, procedural-type questions can be found in the mighty PANS-OPS book, available from the CAA.

1) The maximum allowed turn is, as you thought, 30 degrees.

2) Yes. Kinder to any passengers to fly the 3 degrees though ! I also thought max descent rate was 1000'/min in an unpressurised aircraft, but could be wrong. I don't believe there are any non-precision approaches that require a mandatory nominal 3 degree slope - thats why they're called 'non-precision'. :D

[Spitoon]

I think you'll find the mighty PANS-OPS book is available from ICAO.

The CAA certainly have one in their library - I've plodded through it on occasions myself.

[El Desperado]

Yes - you're quite right - it is an ICAO publication. I thought the CAA must have sold it, as I can't figure out where else I would have got my old dog-eared copy.

[DrSyn]

Axel, assuming you are a pro pilot (your profile is a bit thin!), the above advice is correct. The full ICAO title is Procedures for Air Navigation Services - OPS (PANS-OPS) Doc 8168. There are two volumes. Vol 1 is aimed at flight ops people who actually use the procedures, and Vol 2 at those who have the responsibility of constructing/administering them - possibly the huge tome that Spitoon has in mind.

Vol 1 is a useful addition to any pilot's library (and is fairly thin!), especially so for those who are trainers. Many pilots have a personal copy. If you can spare $68, you can order one direct from ICAO via this link (http://216.46.2.37/documentItemView.ch2?ID=7131). Alternatively you can check more local sources (http://216.46.2.37/wheretobuy.ch2) to obtain one. No doubt there are other outlets.

I should add that considering the type of hardback book, illustrated by glossy colour photos, that one might buy for less than $50 in a book store, the 8168 which is little more than a slim paperback is a bloody rip-off. Unfortunately ICAO, like the CAA, is a bureaucratic monopoly and can charge whatever it likes. I still recommend having a copy, though :(

Hope this helps.

[Axel-Flo]

Thanks for your replies gentlemen, I will look the volumes out at work if we have copies and take your advice to source and buy my own. Sorry about the thin profile but it sometimes does help. This Big Jet IFR stuff is all relatively new to me and in some cases the old and bolds around the office believe knowledge is power and knowledge shared is power lost.......Thankfully not so with this medium.
Thanks again!:p