Six practical habits
Confirm authorisation
Verify operator, aircraft and crew approval for the specific RNP AR operation.
Respect database coding
Retrieve the named procedure from the current database without unapproved manual construction.
Brief the full path
Include transitions, RF legs, vertical path, required RNP and the missed approach.
Control configuration
Protect energy, speed and configuration so the aircraft remains ahead of the procedure.
Monitor continuously
Watch performance, alerts, modes, lateral path and vertical path throughout.
Go around decisively
Use the published and approved missed approach whenever continuation criteria are not met.
Authorisation is part of the procedure
The letters AR mean authorisation required. A suitable FMS display or an apparently flyable route does not establish permission. The operator’s approval, aircraft documentation, crew qualification and any procedure-specific limitations must all support the operation.
RNP AR procedures may include smaller RNP values, radius-to-fix legs or demanding terrain and obstacle environments. The crew briefing should therefore focus on the actual coded path and the consequences of any degradation.
Build the approach before workload rises
Complete the database, chart and clearance comparison early. Confirm the approach identifier, transition, runway, waypoint sequence, vertical constraints, required navigation performance and missed approach coding.
Brief automation strategy, speed and configuration gates, weather and temperature considerations, alerting and go-around triggers. Any late change deserves a deliberate rebuild rather than a hurried edit.
Protect the escape path
Monitor both the aircraft path and the system’s assurance of that path. An alert, unexpected mode, excessive deviation or inability to meet stabilisation criteria should trigger the approved response, not negotiation with the display.
The missed approach can itself require specific navigation capability. Know how the procedure is flown, which modes are expected and what to communicate if capability is lost before or during the missed approach.
- 01Authoriseaircraft, operator, crew and procedure all eligible
- 02Buildload unchanged, cross-check and brief the complete path
- 03Flymanage energy and monitor navigation assurance continuously
- 04Exitexecute the approved missed approach and advise ATC
Operational summary only. Apply the current approved procedure and see references below.
Final flight-deck prompt
Final flight-deck promptAre we specifically authorised, is the entire coded path correct, and can we fly the missed approach with the capability available?
