mlf@druxv.UUCP (01/19/84)
The FARs appear to say that descent from the assigned enroute altitude
is not authorized to begin until established on an initial approach
segment (unless cleared earlier to a lower altitude by ATC). Usually
ATC will successively clear a flight to appropriately lower
altitudes, so that the aircraft will be at a reasonable altitude at
the initial approach fix. But what if they don't (e.g.,
because of a communication failure)? If the enroute altitude is fairly
high (e.g., 16000 msl) and if the minimum altitude at the FAF
is much lower (e.g., 1000 msl), then for most published approaches there
won't be enough distance between the IAF anf the FAF to lose the required
amount of altitude. One CFII (a United Airlines qualifying instructor)
told me that it is permissible to begin
a descent to the MEA immediately after being cleared for the approach,
but I've never seen that in the FARs (besides, that wouldn't resolve the
problem when there is communication failure). Any comments?
Mike Fontenot
Denver, Colo