User Guide

Flight Simulator

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Microsoft

The Approach Chart

Instrument approach charts have several things in common. At the top, they show the frequencies

you’ll use to talk to the local air traffic controllers (section A in Figure 1, Tutorial 14). Below this is a

plan view, which shows the electronic navigation aids that you’ll use to fly to the airport (section B).

Below that is something known as the profile view, which gives you a few of the preliminary minimum

altitudes you’ll use as you descend to the airport (section C). Finally, at the bottom is the minima

section (section D). This shows you the minimum altitudes to which you can descend as you fly

toward the airport.

There is a point known as the Missed Approach Point (MAP), and it’s shown on all approach charts.

(Don’t get confused about this. If MAP is in all capital letters, it’s not the kind of map you use to find

directions in a car!) At the MAP, the pilot must see the runway clearly enough to land. This point is

normally shown by the symbol “M” in the profile section (section C). If you can’t see the runway

clearly enough from the MAP, you must make a missed approach. This means you’ll most likely go to

another airport that has better weather.

Now that I’ve marinated your noodle with these ideas, I’m sure you’re curious about how to fly an

instrument approach. Let’s find out. While there are several common types of instrument approaches,

let’s examine the most common one first. It’s called the VOR approach, and you’ll learn to fly it in the

next tutorial.