Standard Alignment

FAA-S-8081-9E (PTS) — Flight Instructor Instrument, Helicopter · Area of Operation VIII. Instrument Approach Procedures · Task: Approach Charts & Nonprecision Approaches

PTS Area VIII — Instrument Approach Procedures Reading/briefing an approach chart Nonprecision (LNAV/VOR/LOC), MDA, VDP, CDFA Stabilized approach & the MAP

⚑ FLAG (Walter): PTS references, not ACS codes — confirm against FAA-S-8081-9E.

Teaching Approach Charts & Nonprecision Approaches

Coach a complete approach briefing and a stabilized nonprecision approach to MDA and the missed-approach point.

By the end of this lesson you can:

Teach the structure of an approach chart and a complete approach briefing.
Teach nonprecision approaches (LNAV/VOR/LOC): FAF, step-downs, MDA, VDP.
Teach a stabilized continuous-descent profile and honoring the MDA/MAP.
Brief the common approach errors (descending below MDA, poor briefing, late configuration).

1 · Reading & briefing the chart

Teach the chart regions (margin ID, briefing strip, plan/profile, minimums, airport sketch) and a four-question briefing: what is it, how do I get in, how low/how to land, what if I miss. The student should be able to brief any plate quickly and completely.

2 · Nonprecision approaches

Teach lateral-only approaches (LNAV/VOR/LOC): the FAF, step-down fixes, MDA (a floor), the VDP, and the MAP (fix/time/distance). Teach a continuous descent final approach (CDFA) rather than dive-and-drive, and that you may not descend below MDA without the required references.

3 · Common errors

Teach the killers: descending below MDA without references, a rushed/incomplete brief, and late configuration. Brief the corrections and emphasize a stabilized approach and a committed missed approach.

4 · Watch

Curated reference clip — “How to Brief an Instrument Approach | Reading Approach Plates | IFR Approaches,” FlightInsight (YouTube), verified via oEmbed. Embedded with the creator's player; we don't host or alter it.

5 · Reference sources

Use the authoritative references

📄 Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8083-16) — Approach Charts & NPAs 📄 Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15B); FAA Chart User’s Guide

Your aircraft: approach capability/category is aircraft-specific — teach the trainer’s avionics (LNAV/LPV) and approach speeds.

✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you fly the trainer’s approach capability, your briefing flow, and the nonprecision errors you watch for — confirm with your CFII.

⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is VFR-certificated; confirm the IFR trainer/sim and avionics the student actually uses, and that all instrument procedures and the required inspections match that installation.

Risk management (the “Consider”): the nonprecision killer is descending below MDA without the required references (CFIT). Teach honoring every step-down, leveling at MDA if not visual, a stabilized CDFA profile, and treating the MAP as a commitment — with a complete brief before the FAF.