ASR / PAR approaches and non-gyro vectors.

[HRutila]

Back in the mid-2000s, my CFII had an alternator failure over Mansfield, OH which eventually required the use of their ASR. Their value during emergencies is very high because the equipment requirements are so little, which is why most CFIs I know from the midwest U.S. attempt to practice them at least once with their students. Nearly everywhere with an on-site approach control has ASR approaches.

PAR approaches, on the other hand, are extremely difficult to locate in the civilian world. I believe Cheyenne, WY (CYS) is one of the only, if not the only, civilian locations that offers these.

[NameCoin]

It's just a matter of having the willingness to call the facility and tell them you want to practice it, which is something many instructors are unfortunately unwilling to do.

It's not an unreasonable attitude in congested areas, at least. It would be a waste of time to request it when the controller barely has enough time to issue you instructions for practise approaches.

By call, I literally mean call on the phone. You certainly wouldn't want to call on the radio to request this unless it's a slow day.

Ah, got it. Sorry for the confusion.

Back in the mid-2000s, my CFII had an alternator failure over Mansfield, OH which eventually required the use of their ASR. Their value during emergencies is very high because the equipment requirements are so little, which is why most CFIs I know from the midwest U.S. attempt to practice them at least once with their students. Nearly everywhere with an on-site approach control has ASR approaches.

It seems that it should be enough for a proficient instrument-rated pilot to simply observe the basic operation to know what to expect. There are at least a few cockpit videos of surveillance approaches on Youtube.

[HRutila]

Heads up, Flint (FNT) is doing ASR approaches in the next hour. Listen in on http://www.liveatc.net/search/?icao=kfnt.