what is back course

back course The course line along the extended centerline of a runway in the opposite direction to the front course, or the localizer course for an ILS (instrument landing system). For an aircraft to approach the instrument runway from the end on which the localizer antenna is installed, the back course must be flown.

Full Answer

What is a back course approach?

Click to enlarge. An interesting variant of the LOC approach is the LOC-BC or "back course" approach. Localizer antennae are sited at the opposite end of the runway from the approach direction and are aligned with the runway centerline.

What is a back course on an antenna?

back course. [′bak ‚kȯrs] (navigation) In the instrument low-approach system, the course which extends from the back of a localizer antenna system to furnish guidance in the horizontal plane at the rear of the localizer.

What are the minimums for a back course?

Convert the approach to a circling, however, and minimums rose to 600 and a mile. In this case, VOR and NDB minimums were the same as the bottom numbers for the back course at Orange County. That won’t always be the case. Terrain and noise considerations may dictate a higher minimum for a back course than the other approaches.

What is the BC mode for a back course approach?

If you are using a coupled auto-pilot for a back course approach, you must use the BC (sometimes labeled REV or BCRS) mode rather than the LOC or APP mode if you hope to track the back course. These are approach systems which include at least a localizer facility, but which are not aligned with the runway center-line.

What is a back course approach?

What Is A "Back Course" Approach? When you fly a localizer back course approach (LOC BC), you're navigating to the runway using horizontal guidance off of a localizer system, but in the opposite direction that you'd normally use the localizer.

How do you use the back course approach?

4:579:40Flying a Back Course | LOC/DME-E KASE Aspen | Reverse SensingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCourse rather than chase the needle we need to fly away from or pull the needle by flying. Left ofMoreCourse rather than chase the needle we need to fly away from or pull the needle by flying. Left of the approach.

What is back course mode in aviation?

Backcourse is used on runways with a localiser at only one end. If you select backcourse mode you can use the localiser beam from the opposite end for approach guidance. Without the backcourse switch the steering commands would be reversed, directing you away from the beam.

How do you fly a back course with HSI?

0:259:11Localizer Back Course ( LOC BC ) Tutorial with NAVIGRAPH - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd when we press the back course. Button that's going to tell the autopilot to fly the oppositeMoreAnd when we press the back course. Button that's going to tell the autopilot to fly the opposite direction of what it normally would with a nav button selected.

What is the difference between ILS and localizer?

An Instrument Landing System is a precision runway approach aid employing two radio beams to provide pilots with vertical and horizontal guidance during the landing approach. The localiser (LOC)provides azimuth guidance, while the glideslope (GS) defines the correct vertical descent profile.

What is a VOR approach?

A VOR Approach is a non-precision approach providing lateral guidance only. The Final Approach Course (as published on the relevant approach chart) utilizes a radial from the VOR to provide this lateral guidance.

What does Nav mode do?

Most autopilots have NAV mode, which essentially asks the pilot to steer to a plotted route rather than just in a specific direction. It's particularly useful in cross-currents and strong winds, or when travelling longer distances.

What is reverse sensing VOR?

In “reverse sensing,” the instrument is displaying exactly what you're telling it to display. It takes some effort from the pilot to not become “reversed.” Where pilots get confused and think that the instrument is reversed is when the OBS is set to the reciprocal of the course they want to fly.

How do I track my localizer?

9:0710:08Intercepting and Tracking (IFR) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo be sure to set the published course with the course selector knob because of your close proximityMoreSo be sure to set the published course with the course selector knob because of your close proximity to the localizer antenna your intercept angle with a localizer.

What is the difference between HSI and CDI?

A standalone CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) is an instrument that shows your deviation from a VOR radial that is selected using the OBS (Omnibearing Selector) knob located on the instrument itself. An HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) is an entirely separate instrument that combines a CDI and a heading indicator.

How wide is a localizer?

Localizer (Horizontal Guidance) Positioned on the far end of the runway, the localizer transmits signals on 108.1 MHz, up to and including 111.95 MHz (odd tenths only). Localizers have an adjusted course width so that they're 700 feet wide at the runway threshold (full scale fly-left to a full scale fly-right).

How do you fly an ILS approach?

2:538:37How to Fly an ILS Approach | Glideslope Intercept - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPosition turn altitude clearance position is three miles from oriole. Turn will be to 360. So thatMorePosition turn altitude clearance position is three miles from oriole. Turn will be to 360. So that we're on a heading to intercept the localizer. Altitude will be to maintain 3000 until established.

What is a back course?

The course line along the extended centerline of a runway in the opposite direction to the front course, or the localizer course for an ILS (instrument landing system). A localizer back course is shown as on aeronautical charts.

How does a localizer back course work?

A localizer back course is simply flying on the back side of the localizer to the runway. How a localizer works is it sends out two signal lobes: one at 90Hz and the other at 150Hz. The localizer needle in the airplane compares the relative strength it receives from both lobes and then shows a deflection.

When flying a localizer back course approach the glideslope can?

Flying a back – course approach only serves to reinforce the suggestion that pilots should fly specific headings during instrument flight rather than correct “a little to the right (left).” Rather than choose to correct five degrees left, pick a specific heading that’s five degrees from your current direction, and think

What is the back course of a localizer?

The course line along the extended centerline of a runway in the opposite direction to the front course, or the localizer course for an ILS (instrument landing system). For an aircraft to approach the instrument runway from the end on which the localizer antenna is installed, the back course must be flown. A localizer back course is shown as on aeronautical charts. The sector located on the opposite side of the localizer from the runway is called the back course sector.

Where is the low-approach course?

In the instrument low-approach system, the course which extends from the back of a localizer antenna system to furnish guidance in the horizontal plane at the rear of the localizer.

What is back course localizer?

The back course localizer approach provides the lateral guidance of an ILS approach without the glide slope information.

What is the localizer course?

The localizer course is very narrow, normally 5°. This results in high needle sensitivity. With this course width, a full-scale deflection shows when the aircraft is 2.5° to either side of the centerline. This sensitivity permits accurate orientation to the landing runway. With no more than one-quarter scale deflection maintained, the aircraft will be aligned with the runway.

Where is the MM on the localizer front course?

The MM is located approximately 3,500 feet from the landing threshold on the centerline of the localizer front course at a position where the glide-slope centerline is about 200 feet above the touchdown zone elevation.

What is the instrument approach stage?

Normal approach and letdown on the ILS is divided into two distinct stages: the instrument approach stage using only radio guidance , and the visual stage, when visual contact with the ground runway environment is necessary for accuracy and safety. The most critical period of an instrument approach, particularly during low ceiling/visibility conditions, is the point at which the pilot must decide whether to land or execute a missed approach. As the runway threshold is approached, the visual glide path will separate into individual lights. At this point, the approach should be continued by reference to the runway touchdown zone markers. The ALS provides lights that will penetrate the atmosphere far enough from touchdown to give directional, distance, and glide path information for safe visual transition.

Can you fly a localizer back course?

It also tempts one to "dive and drive." You can, and should, fly a Continuous Descent Final Approach for most Localizer Back Course approaches.

What does back course mean?

What does back-course mean? It simply means you are flying on the opposite of the localizer signal. If there is a back-course published, the signal strength will be strong enough to fly the approach as required.

What is the meaning of "back up"?

Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

Do ILS need to be front or back course?

The same flight and navigation instruments required to fly a front-course ILS is required to fly a back-course ILS.

Why is back course approach bad?

Perhaps because the back course is rarely used, airports are reluctant to spend money installing markers or compass locators . Accordingly, you can expect most localizer back-course final approach fixes to utilize intersections with a nearby VOR rather than NDBs or outer markers.

What is the minimum IFR for back course?

Switch to a localizer with the glideslope generator inop, and minimums became 408 feet and 2,400 RVR. Convert the approach to a circling, however, and minimums rose to 600 and a mile. In this case, VOR and NDB minimums were the same as the bottom numbers for the back course at Orange County.

What is BC localizer?

Back-course (BC) localizer approaches subject a pilot to reverse needle indications on the OBS. You fly right to correct left and versa vicea, counterintuitive to pilots who have been taught that you always fly into the needle.

Why do pilots fly back course?

Flying a back-course approach only serves to reinforce the suggestion that pilots should fly specific headings during instrument flight rather than correct “a little to the right (left).” Rather than choose to correct five degrees left, pick a specific heading that’s five degrees from your current direction, and think that number.

Is it hard to get a back course exam?

The better news is that it ’s equally difficult for an examiner to gain access to a real, live back-course approach (unless they’re willing to conduct his examination at 6 a.m.), so most of the time, you shouldn’t have to worry about demonstrating your proficiency.

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