What is the FAF on a precision approach?

What is the FAF on a precision approach?

• A. The fix from which the final approach to the airport is executed and identifies the beginning of the final approach segment.
• B. The point where the glide slope intercept occurs.
• C. The threshold crossing height.
• D. The missed approach point.

Answer: (A)

The final approach fix is the point where the final approach begins. It designates the fix from which you start the last, glideslope-guided descent toward the runway. On a precision approach, this point marks the transition from the intermediate segment to the final approach segment, and from there you follow the vertical guidance to land. The glide slope intercept location is related, but the formal definition centers on the fixed point that begins the final approach. Threshold crossing height is simply how high you are as you cross the runway threshold, not where the final approach starts. The missed approach point is the point at which you must initiate a missed approach if you haven’t landed, not the start of the final approach.

The final approach fix is the point where the final approach begins. It designates the fix from which you start the last, glideslope-guided descent toward the runway. On a precision approach, this point marks the transition from the intermediate segment to the final approach segment, and from there you follow the vertical guidance to land.

The glide slope intercept location is related, but the formal definition centers on the fixed point that begins the final approach. Threshold crossing height is simply how high you are as you cross the runway threshold, not where the final approach starts. The missed approach point is the point at which you must initiate a missed approach if you haven’t landed, not the start of the final approach.