Approach Plate --

 

Instrument pilots, let’s break down this VOR/DME approach for Runway 13 at Crookston Muni-Kirkwood Field (CKN)!

 Approach Course: 097°
 Final Approach Fix (FAF): HULEK at 22.1 DME from GFK
 Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA):
• Straight-in: 1240’ (Category A)
• Circling: 1320’-1400’ depending on category
 Missed Approach: Climb to 2000’, then left turn to 2500’ heading 250° to WIRUV and hold.
 Holding Fixes: JEGUP (8.4 DME) & WIRUV (18.8 DME)

Key Considerations:
Ensure you have the Grand Forks altimeter setting; otherwise, MDA adjustments apply.
Visibility requirements vary based on approach category.
VGSI (Visual Glide Slope Indicator) and descent angles are not coincident, meaning pilots must rely on their instruments for proper descent management.

Tip: Always study the missed approach procedure before starting the approach—it’s not a good time to figure it out when you’re already low and slow!

Phases of Flight

 

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Phases of Flight

1. Preflight: Ground preparation, checks, and planning before takeoff.

2. Takeoff: Accelerating on the runway and lifting into the air.

3. Departure: Gaining altitude and navigating away from the airport.

4. En Route: Cruising at a steady altitude toward the destination.

5. Descent: Gradual reduction in altitude approaching the destination.

6. Approach: Aligning with the runway for landing.

7. Landing: Touchdown and deceleration on the runway.

Landing Flare

 

The Landing Flare, in a fixed wing aircraft, is the transition phase between the final approach and the touchdown on the landing surface. This sub-phase of flight normally involves a simultaneous increase in aircraft pitch attitude and a reduction in engine power/thrust, the combination of which results in a decrease in both rate of descent and airspeed.



According to the ICAO ADREP, the Landing Phase of flight includes two sub-phases, the flare and the landing roll. However, for the discussion purposes of this article, the Landing Phase of a fixed wing aircraft will be further segmented into the:

Final approach
Flare
Touchdown and de-rotation
Roll out and deceleration

Heading - True Magnet Compass

 

This diagram is your navigation cheat sheet!
It shows the transformation between:

True (based on the geographic North Pole)
Magnetic (based on the Earth’s magnetic field)
Compass (influenced by aircraft systems)


 Use these conversion layers:
 TC → MC → CC (Course)
 TH → MH → CH (Heading)
 TT → MT → CT (Track)

And don’t forget the angles:

VAR = Magnetic Variation
DEV = Compass Deviation
WCA = Wind Correction Angle
DA = Drift Angle


Mastering this concept is vital for precise navigation and ATPL success