Switching between ILS and RNAV in flight

Discussion Hub General Discussion
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve got a question relating to flight procedures:

  • If you have planned an ILS approach, but can the controller request you to land on a runway where there is no ILS (and you need to use RNAV)?
  • If so, then after selecting the new approach (RNAV) do you need to enter the MDA value (where the DH value was already populated because of the ILS)?

In the A320, the alternate flight plan does not work, hence all changes will need to be done in flight, very close to the approach phase.

Thanks a lot to clarify.

2

  1. Yes, controllers change approaches for a variety of reasons. Even happens at the last minute on occasion. Generally not a big deal to swap it real quick in the FMC. Just requires briefing the new approach with the other pilot and re-confirming landing numbers (in a real world situation).
    Most operators won’t load the approach until pretty certain they know what they will get, usually from the ATIS. Keeping in mind many arrival procedures are runway dependent.

  2. Yes, part of the approach setup would be setting the new minimums as a backup reminder.

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3

RNAV approaches are usually non-precision approaches so yes you have to enter MDA unless the procedure is a CDFA type so a DA is published same as for ILS. As said when flying online wait for ATC contact before entering any arrival data into the FMGS.

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4

Thanks a lot everyone, really appreciate the replies. :+1:t2:

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