Explorer Flight Missions - December
Following the success of our initial rollout of Explorer Flight Missions, we are introducing next Explorer Flight Missions (for December), which focus on airports with weird and sometimes challenging instrument approaches. You can fly these on your own or get a group going - it’s up to you. Make sure you choose an appropriate aircraft and conduct proper flight planning. Let the adventure begin!
To get the Explorer server role (access to Explorers DISCORD channel) and 500 TPC Points for each flight:
Fly into any of the airports on this list using the suggested approach*
Leave a comment on this post with the ICAO code of the airport you flew into. Feel free to share more details about your flight, if you’d like.
Post a pic from your flight in screenshots channel on DISCORD.
* MSFS2020 users: Please note that in order to fly the suggested approaches in MSFS2020 (except for DCA), you will need NAVIGRAPH NAV DATA injection. If you do not have this - feel free to fly any approach into those airports.
1. Hailey/Friedman Memorial (KSUN)
The procedure turn for NDB/DME-A* approach is flown at 8,100 feet, and you only get to descend 60 feet to an MDA of 8,040 feet. The missed approach point is 5.2 NM from the runway, and you must fly 100% visually from the MAP to the runway.
Charts & airport info: HERE
* Please note that in order to fly this approach in MSFS2020, you will need NAVIGRAPH NAV DATA injection. If you do not have it - feel free to fly any other approach into this airport.
2. Martin State (KMTN)
Unlike many approaches, the VOR/DME into RWY 15* at KMTN is one big DME arc. Each fix along the approach is a DME radial, and the final approach course is constantly curving.
Charts & airport info: HERE
* Please note that in order to fly this approach in MSFS2020, you will need NAVIGRAPH NAV DATA injection. If you do not have it - feel free to fly any other approach into this airport.
3. Watsonville Municipal (KWVI)
This strange DME arc during VOR/DME-A* to the final approach course has pilots turn outbound, away from the VOR, for the off-field VOR approach.
Charts & airport info: HERE
* Please note that in order to fly this approach in MSFS2020, you will need NAVIGRAPH NAV DATA injection. If you do not have it - feel free to fly any other approach into this airport.
4. Washington National (KDCA)
The lowest minimums for this curving RNAV RNP RWY 19 approach (491 foot DA) require RNP precision of 0.11 miles. Plus, you don't want to accidentally bust the prohibited airspace above the White House and Capitol that's just .3NM North of the final approach course. You can also fly a River Visual instead (still back it up with RNAV though).
Charts & airport info: HERE
5. Aspen-Pitkin County (KASE)
This LOC/DME-E* approach into Aspen requires pilots to chop and drop nearly 1,900 feet in just 3.1NM. The prescribed approach angle is 6.59 degrees. It terminates with a missed approach that turns you onto a remotely located mountaintop localizer for a back-course departure, through a valley, to the waypoint LINDZ.
Charts & airport info: HERE
* Please note that in order to fly this approach in MSFS2020, you will need NAVIGRAPH NAV DATA injection. If you do not have it - feel free to fly any other approach into this airport.
