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IFR

Missed approach & obstacle clearance

  • Initiate at or before the missed approach point (MAPt), or immediately if the required visual reference is not established or maintained at the decision altitude/height (DA/DH) or minimum descent altitude/height (MDA/MDH).
  • Missed approach obstacle clearance is normally based on a minimum climb gradient of 2.5% from the MAPt, unless a steeper gradient is published.
  • Category A helicopters generally benefit from tighter obstacle clearance areas than fixed-wing categories, due to lower approach and missed-approach speeds.
  • Fly the published missed approach track and altitude/level precisely, unless ATC issues other instructions.

Source: ICAO Doc 8168 (PANS-OPS) – Missed approach criteria