UK AIP Aerodrome Minima

[Mister Geezer]

Just wondering if anyone can tell me if you can find minima for airfields in the UK AIP. Only asking since the AIP approach plates don't have any minima on them. Do you still have to work out the minima by hand? Any references or especially any web links would be superb.

I know the AAIB have hinted in the past that minima should be included in the AIP for each type of approach at every UK airfield, but I was wondering if they have got round to it yet?

Cheers

[Stan Evil]

The AIP plates quote OCH on and so you can work out your MDH by comparing this with the system minimum.

There is also a table in the blurb for each airfield giving the OCHs and DHs for Cat A aircraft. However, the DHs have all had 50 ft added to them to allow for a worst-case altimeter pressure error. If your aircraft has no error or a negative error (like the Cessna 310) then you need to take the 50 ft back off again. As a by-the-by, the preamble to the airfield section says that the 50 ft has been added to the OCH - this is not correct.

[Mister Geezer]

Stan Evil thanks for your help. I was thinking along the same lines but I wanted to make sure that I was not barking up the wrong tree.

I have been looking at the AIP plates for my local airfield and I have come across a little problem. The plate is for a VOR/DME arrival and it gives you the OCA for the procedure so getting your MDA is a doddle. However the plate allows you to fly the procedure with no DME and using the stopwatch only... however the OCA value on the plate is for the DME procedure only. My question is what OCA value can I use for a non-DME procedure so that I can arrive at a figure for my MDA???

Any ideas?

Cheers

[Stan Evil]

Gizza clue about which airfield and you may get a definitive answer. However, if the beacon is on the airfield and if there are no check heights associated with DME on the final approach path then there's no reason to change the MDA.

[Mister Geezer]

Aberdeen (EGPD) and I am referring to the VOR/DME 16. The VOR in question (ADN) is 6.4d from the field. The only check height is on the beacon itself and then its down to MDA.

Cheers

[Stan Evil]

I've had a look at the plate and would say that the MDA is the same DME or no DME. The alternative procedure makes it clear that 'no DME' is an option. The published minimum is sufficiently high to miss the high ground just beyond the airfield by over 300 ft if you get the timing to the MAPt a bit wrong.

Conversely the Loc DME for 16 states on the plate that DME is mandatory.

[Mister Geezer]

Yep.. that makes sense. Thanks!