⚑ FLAG (Walter): Area VI is organized by approach type (e.g., precision, nonprecision, missed) rather than a standalone “chart reading” Task — confirm which Task and K/R/S codes you want this lesson mapped to (it is a foundation lesson feeding lessons 14–18). Codes shown with “x” are placeholders to be set on review.
Reading & Briefing Approach Charts
Turn a busy plate into a clear, spoken plan — what it is, how I get in, how low I go, and what I do if I miss.
By the end of this lesson you can:
Name the major sections of a U.S. (FAA/Jeppesen) approach chart and what each provides.
Read the briefing strip: approach name/type, primary frequencies, final approach course, and minimums.
Identify the FAF, step-down fixes, MDA/DA, MSA, and the missed-approach point and instructions.
Deliver a concise, repeatable approach briefing before you start down.
1 · The six regions of a chart
A U.S. instrument approach procedure (IAP) chart is laid out the same way every time, which is what makes it brief-able. The margin identification (top/bottom) names the airport, city, procedure, and amendment/effective date. The briefing strip across the top carries the procedure title, primary nav/comm frequencies, final approach course, FAF altitude, airport elevation, and any notes. The plan view shows the procedure from above — feeder routes, IAFs, holds, and the missed-approach track. The profile view shows it from the side — the descent gradient, FAF, step-downs, glidepath, and the missed-approach climb. The minimums band lists MDA/DA and visibility for each category and equipment combination, and the airport sketch shows the runways, lighting, and (if charted) time/distance.
2 · The briefing strip — read it top-down
Item
What to confirm
Procedure & type
Right airport, right approach (e.g., RNAV (GPS) RWY 18), and right amendment/currency.
Frequencies
ATIS/ASOS, approach, tower/CTAF, and the primary NAVAID/ident to tune and identify.
Final approach course & FAF
The inbound course and the FAF crossing altitude.
Minimums & notes
MDA or DA, required visibility, and notes (e.g., “circling NA,” non-standard takeoff/alternate minimums, equipment required, baro-VNAV temperature limits).
3 · A simple briefing flow
A clear approach briefing answers four questions in order: What is it? (name, type, currency, primary frequency and ident); How do I get in? (transition/IAF, intermediate course, FAF and the altitudes/step-downs to the runway); How low can I go and how do I land? (MDA/DA, visibility, VDP if charted, runway/lighting, circling restrictions); and What if I miss? (MAP, the first heading-and-climb action, and where the missed routing takes you to hold). Briefing in that order builds a mental movie of the whole approach before you fly it, and lets a single-pilot helicopter set up frequencies, courses, and the missed-approach plan ahead of the workload.
4 · Currency & minimum safe altitudes
Always verify the chart is the current cycle and check NOTAMs — an out-of-service component can raise minimums or make the procedure unavailable. The MSA circle gives emergency obstacle clearance (typically within 25 nm of the reference point) but is not a routing altitude. Note required equipment, and for helicopters check any procedure or visibility credits and whether circling/special minima apply to your aircraft category and speed.
5 · 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.
Your aircraft: approach speeds, the resulting aircraft category for minimums, and your installed avionics’ approach capability are aircraft-specific — note your R44's normal approach speeds from the POH Section 4 (Normal Procedures) and the avionics supplement.
✍️ Fill in for the aircraft you flyYour typical final-approach speed (and the approach category it puts you in) and your installed approach capability (e.g., LNAV / LPV) — look it up in the R44 POH (Normal Procedures / avionics supplement) and confirm with your CFI.
⚑ FLAG (Walter): the R44 is a VFR-certificated helicopter; confirm which charts/approaches the student will actually brief in the IFR trainer or sim, and whether any helicopter-specific (“COPTER”) procedures or reduced-visibility credits are in scope for this course.
Risk management (the “Consider”): the chart-reading killers are an expired chart or un-checked NOTAM, confusing MDA with DA (you may not descend below MDA without the required visual references; at DA you must already be going around if not visual), and a vague missed-approach plan. Brief the missed approach before you start down, set the MAP and first action, and don't let “get-there-itis” talk you below minimums. A briefed pilot flies the approach; an un-briefed pilot reads the chart while descending.