IFR Checkride Guide
Chair flying / RNAV (GPS) Approach — LNAV

RNAV (GPS) Approach — LNAV

Fly a GPS approach to LNAV minimums — lateral-only guidance, managed descents with advisory glidepath discipline, and MDA level-off.

Guided rehearsal is PremiumACS VI.A — Non-precision Approach

Pre-Approach (Five A's)

  1. ATIS/AWOS — weather, runway in use, expect which approach
  2. Altimeter — set current setting; cross-check altimeters
  3. Avionics — tune and IDENTIFY navaids, set courses, load the procedure
    Confirm the correct approach is loaded and the sequence matches the chart — waypoints, courses, altitudes.
  4. Approach briefing — brief the chart aloud
    Approach name and runway, final approach course, FAF and glidepath intercept altitude, DA or MDA, required visibility, missed approach point and first two steps of the miss, notes and lighting.
  5. Aircraft — descent/approach checklist complete, fuel pump and mixture per checklist

Setup

  1. Load and verify the approach from the database; check RAIM/WAAS status
  2. Confirm the annunciated service level — LNAV (or LNAV+V advisory glidepath)
    An advisory glidepath (+V) helps fly a continuous descent, but the MDA is still a hard floor — advisory guidance can take you below it.
  3. Level 90 KIAS; brief step-downs, MDA, and the MAP waypoint

Execution

  1. FAF — configure, descend at 1,700–1,800 RPM“FAF — descend”
  2. Honor every step-down; track within ¾ scale
  3. Level at MDA +100/−0 ft — do NOT follow an advisory glidepath below MDA“Minimums — holding MDA”
  4. References per 91.175(c) → land; at the MAP without them → miss and sequence the navigator“Runway / going missed”

Recovery

  1. Landing: normal descent from MDA when assured
  2. Or missed: full power, positive rate, activate the missed leg, fly the procedure

ACS tolerances

  • Final course within ¾-scale CDI deflection
  • MDA +100/−0 ft
  • Airspeed ±10 kt
  • Before final: altitude ±100 ft, heading ±10°

Common errors

  • Following the advisory glidepath through the MDA
  • Not verifying the loaded waypoint sequence against the chart
  • Missing CDI scale changes approaching the FAF
  • Late level-off busting below MDA