FAF call in NZ
Thread Starter
FAF call in NZ
Hi folk,
Heading into NZ this week and was brushing up on local rules. It surprised me in the AIP that a call to the tower was mandatory for both the final approach fix and also when you are visual with the ground when conducting an instrument approach in controlled airspace.
Can a local confirm for me that that is the case even on the ILS into Auckland or is the AIP over-ridden by something somewhere in another document? I ask because I used to be based there and my recollection is just contacting tower with POB once established on the ILS and the next call was them clearing me to land.
Either I was a slack arse back then or things have changed.
Cheers, framer
Heading into NZ this week and was brushing up on local rules. It surprised me in the AIP that a call to the tower was mandatory for both the final approach fix and also when you are visual with the ground when conducting an instrument approach in controlled airspace.
Can a local confirm for me that that is the case even on the ILS into Auckland or is the AIP over-ridden by something somewhere in another document? I ask because I used to be based there and my recollection is just contacting tower with POB once established on the ILS and the next call was them clearing me to land.
Either I was a slack arse back then or things have changed.
Cheers, framer
You'll find most make these calls (the FAF call at least, not always the visual call) at regional airports when doing a VOR, NDB, or GNSS approach but the visual calls seem to be rarely done at places like NZAA or NZWN on the ILS.
From what I have noticed, at regional airports at least, calling visual certainly helps the guy behind you in the approach sequence as he won't get his appproach clearance until you call visual or the tower can see you.
From what I have noticed, at regional airports at least, calling visual certainly helps the guy behind you in the approach sequence as he won't get his appproach clearance until you call visual or the tower can see you.
Last edited by 27/09; 23rd Mar 2011 at 06:37.
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Tinnie... nothing wrong with lights, provided your aircraft has 2 sets of wings, is primarily made of wood and fabric, and you're landing on a big grassy area... not too flash (pun intended!) when you're being hunted down by that B77W on finals!!
Normally an ILS has a FAP, and a LLZ a FAF
I should have been a little more clear in my wording. The reference re NZWN and NZAA was really about the visual call
@slackie, I think it's usually when you have not been identified, or after identification is terminated. If in doubt I assume I'm not identified. Happy to stand corrected though.
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It was a rhetorical question.... the correct answer is "they don't"....
As the correct answer to "when does the controller know the aircraft is visual?" is "when the pilot tells you" (unless it's already on a Visual Approach).
As the correct answer to "when does the controller know the aircraft is visual?" is "when the pilot tells you" (unless it's already on a Visual Approach).
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How does the pilot know when they are outside of radar coverage?
[edited to remove excessive grumpiness]
Last edited by Oktas8; 25th Mar 2011 at 08:41.
