B737-800
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,762
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
At least in the US, the rule is that you cannot descend below the assigned altitude until established on a published segment of the approach. And the ATC phraseology to back this up on every approach is "maintain XXXX feet until established, cleared for the..." I assume that the rest of the developed world is the same. (Am I right or wrong in this?) In your scenario, what segment are you established on?
First movement of the needle inbound is considered established as you have lateral guidance.
So GS capture with 1/2 scale deflection (or more) in APP logic would be perfectly feasible.

Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 936
Likes: 67
From: USA
There is no official definition of "established" in the FAA world, but lots of people come up with their own to fill the void.
Nevertheless, regardless of what threshold one uses to consider themselves established and therefore ready to descend, I'm not catching on to the meaning of your post as it relates to mine. I was replying to a post that asked why you can't operate with a glideslope alone. Without a localizer, you could never become established no matter what fraction of a scale width satisfies your definition.
Nevertheless, regardless of what threshold one uses to consider themselves established and therefore ready to descend, I'm not catching on to the meaning of your post as it relates to mine. I was replying to a post that asked why you can't operate with a glideslope alone. Without a localizer, you could never become established no matter what fraction of a scale width satisfies your definition.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,762
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
In FAA world ‘established’ is determined by positive course guidance.
Which is first indication of inward movement of the deviation indicator.
Years ago I have gone through the trouble of finding a reference.
Which is first indication of inward movement of the deviation indicator.
Years ago I have gone through the trouble of finding a reference.




