The River Visual Approach
04-08-2007, 05:09 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 394
It's a standard addition to a typical end of training LOFT for us...and often ends in the 22 circle.
Not a hard approach at all...but can be a challenge for folks who are wedded to the instruments and FMS.
My response when asked about configuration points, etc is just 'be a pilot'. The whole point of the exercise is to teach visual skills and not be looking for instrument crutches.
Not a hard approach at all...but can be a challenge for folks who are wedded to the instruments and FMS.
My response when asked about configuration points, etc is just 'be a pilot'. The whole point of the exercise is to teach visual skills and not be looking for instrument crutches.
04-08-2007, 06:57 PM
#13
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
The Expressway Visual at LGA (when flown properly), I think is a tougher/more fun approach...
But the River Visual certainly allows for some of the best views on an approach! (I just wish that I didn't have to jump through a million administrative hoops to fly it, now that I'm out of the airlines...)
The Harbor Visual in Portland, ME (PWM) is also a fun visual.
But the River Visual certainly allows for some of the best views on an approach! (I just wish that I didn't have to jump through a million administrative hoops to fly it, now that I'm out of the airlines...)
The Harbor Visual in Portland, ME (PWM) is also a fun visual.
04-08-2007, 08:03 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Austin Tower
Posts: 175
Hassan,
I took an ATC Familiarization Flight to DCA when I was first hired with the FAA. After checking-in with the Captain and presenting my credentials, he introduced me to his co-pilot who was on his FIRST flight after completing whatever training you guys go through. The Captain then grinned and asked me if I'd ever "done the River Approach". Huh? He just smiled and said that I was in for a treat.
As we approached DCA, the Captain prepared the co-pilot for what was about to happen. He told me to enjoy the ride and to look for white knuckles from the right seat.
Needless to say, we all had a blast. I couldn't believe that we were that low flying through... a neighborhood... or a college campus? The Captain did an excellent job of coaching the rookie right-seater through all of the maneuvers that were required. And YES -- his knuckles were white!
I saw the runway ahead and to our right and thought that there was just no way that we were going to land. Banking right... turning... oh God.. wings level... touchdown and rollout! Three cheers from the cockpit!
It was really cool. I had the impression that the Captain enjoyed this particular approach; that the Captain enjoyed teaching the rookie pilot how to fly the approach; and that he was glad to see an ATCer in the cockpit to see what he saw each and every day "at work".
MEM_ATC
As we approached DCA, the Captain prepared the co-pilot for what was about to happen. He told me to enjoy the ride and to look for white knuckles from the right seat.
Needless to say, we all had a blast. I couldn't believe that we were that low flying through... a neighborhood... or a college campus? The Captain did an excellent job of coaching the rookie right-seater through all of the maneuvers that were required. And YES -- his knuckles were white!
I saw the runway ahead and to our right and thought that there was just no way that we were going to land. Banking right... turning... oh God.. wings level... touchdown and rollout! Three cheers from the cockpit!
It was really cool. I had the impression that the Captain enjoyed this particular approach; that the Captain enjoyed teaching the rookie pilot how to fly the approach; and that he was glad to see an ATCer in the cockpit to see what he saw each and every day "at work".
MEM_ATC
04-09-2007, 06:26 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: CL604
Posts: 90
The Expressway Visual at LGA (when flown properly), I think is a tougher/more fun approach...
The visual up the river at LGA is more fun IMHO than the expressway because of the views, especially when they have you at 2500 feet.
Personally, the river visual at DCA is a TON more fun, or the circle to 33. And everytime I've had to actually shoot that stupid LDA approach, the GS is always all over the place. That always makes it an interesting approach.
04-09-2007, 06:33 AM
#16
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
Just wondering why you think this?? You fly to the tanks/DIALS, follow a highway, and make a 180 around a ball park to a runway. Whats fun/tough?
The visual up the river at LGA is more fun IMHO than the expressway because of the views, especially when they have you at 2500 feet.
Personally, the river visual at DCA is a TON more fun, or the circle to 33. And everytime I've had to actually shoot that stupid LDA approach, the GS is always all over the place. That always makes it an interesting approach.
The visual up the river at LGA is more fun IMHO than the expressway because of the views, especially when they have you at 2500 feet.
Personally, the river visual at DCA is a TON more fun, or the circle to 33. And everytime I've had to actually shoot that stupid LDA approach, the GS is always all over the place. That always makes it an interesting approach.
The best visual though is the "downwind visual" into DTW when you're cleared for the a short approach abeam the runway at 11000' via the GEMNI1 arrival.
Belts, boards, gear, flaps, and down you go!
04-09-2007, 07:58 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: FO
Posts: 3,044
easy approach and really fun to fly. I also like the expressway visual as well. The one approach that can have you elbows and *******s in the flightdeck is the LDA 19 actually shot down to mins. Thats when there are hands going every where between the autopilot controls and calling out different stepdowns. Good Times!
04-09-2007, 08:43 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: RC-3 Seabee. Skipper of the A21 cutter.
Posts: 897
Did anyone here get to do the IGS at Kai Tak before it was shutdown? That approach looks like it would have been gangbusters to fly! I've got some old Jepps for that approach and haven't seen anything else like it in the world. I've only got a chance to fly it in the sim. Crashed into a bulding about 1/2 mile inside the stone cutters NDB. Then again into the checkerboard. Too fast on final. :-( I love reading about these fun approaches.
04-09-2007, 08:53 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,750
IGS into Lugano in Switzerland was a blast, especially if followed by a visual circle-to-land.
The River visual in DCA is not hard, but you cannot let things get out of hand. Configure early, don't fly too fast, go around Rosslyn at 1000 feet or so and you are golden.
It is fun, but challenging if the wind is strong from the west. Still, not hard and frankly, if someone can't do it then they are not really a pilot, because all it is is a series of turns while descending - basic back-to-the-basics flying.
The Harbor Visual in PWM is cool too, as mentioned.
The River visual in DCA is not hard, but you cannot let things get out of hand. Configure early, don't fly too fast, go around Rosslyn at 1000 feet or so and you are golden.
It is fun, but challenging if the wind is strong from the west. Still, not hard and frankly, if someone can't do it then they are not really a pilot, because all it is is a series of turns while descending - basic back-to-the-basics flying.
The Harbor Visual in PWM is cool too, as mentioned.
04-09-2007, 09:05 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: RC-3 Seabee. Skipper of the A21 cutter.
Posts: 897
IGS into Lugano in Switzerland was a blast, especially if followed by a visual circle-to-land.
The River visual in DCA is not hard, but you cannot let things get out of hand. Configure early, don't fly too fast, go around Rosslyn at 1000 feet or so and you are golden.
It is fun, but challenging if the wind is strong from the west. Still, not hard and frankly, if someone can't do it then they are not really a pilot, because all it is is a series of turns while descending - basic back-to-the-basics flying.
The Harbor Visual in PWM is cool too, as mentioned.
The River visual in DCA is not hard, but you cannot let things get out of hand. Configure early, don't fly too fast, go around Rosslyn at 1000 feet or so and you are golden.
It is fun, but challenging if the wind is strong from the west. Still, not hard and frankly, if someone can't do it then they are not really a pilot, because all it is is a series of turns while descending - basic back-to-the-basics flying.
The Harbor Visual in PWM is cool too, as mentioned.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
