SRA Approaches

[David Gilbert]

Been looking at SRA/ASR approaches and to all intents and purposes they seem to be just a visual approach with vectors until you see the field. Can anyone explain the purpose of them?

[Keith Smith]

They don't require any navigational equipment in the aircraft. Almost every instrument approach is flown visually from the MDA/DH A true 'visual approach' requires you to remain clear clouds, and controllers can only vector you for it if the ceiling is 500ft above the MVA and they're not going to take you any lower than the MVA.

PAR approaches and ASR approaches have published minimums. PARs can actually get you pretty low, but they require special equipment on the ATC end (high frequency radar updates).

This is one of the few things we don't simulate on PE. It's mostly military facilities that offer these approaches.

[David Gilbert]

Ah I think I'm with you. They sort of give pilots of aircraft with no navigation equipment like a Piper Cub the ability to get into airfields with less than VFR standards of visibility? I've noticed that some of the larger airports here in the UK like EGNX have these approaches published. I'm not sure why as they are unlikely to get many aircraft landing with no navigation equipment unless in an emergency.

[HRutila]

These approaches are primarily used in emergencies. A friend of mine was taking a Mooney from Pontiac (PTK) to somewhere in Florida. His dad, who owned the airplane, was "a cheapskate" as my friend described him and did not purchase instrument approach plates for anywhere except the departure and destination. When he got near Mansfield (MFD), he experienced an alternator failure. The whole area was IMC. Now low on battery power and without approach plates, he was fortunate to be able to get into MFD with help from the controllers, who put him on an ASR approach to the airport.