Non Precision Approach Page 5
What speed should I fly on final approach?
The NZAIP ENR 1.5-4 Instrument approach procedures – speed has a table that lists the required speed ranges for various categories of aircraft. Determine your category of aircraft and then fly the speed ranges listed.
I have reproduced the table below:
Remember that we are aiming to be at 10 miles on final approach at approx 3200ft and in a configuration that is ready to commence descent. You may even want to be slightly lower than 3200ft so that you can be sure that you are slightly underneath the ideal slope (but under no circumstances lower than 2200 as indicated on the chart).
Approaching the inbound course select VOR/LOC so that the AP/FD system will intercept the inbound course. Ensure that the aircraft intercepts and tracks the inbound course. Confirm this if possible with NAV2 and an NDB (if closely sighted) before descending further as you just may have set the incorrect course (a setting error of 10 degrees is easily done especially with some panels that are difficult to read).
Compare the distance to go with the altitude required on the descent profile at the base of the approach chart. You can see that at 10 nm we need to be 3200ft and at 9 miles 2900ft and 8 miles 2600ft. In other words if we multiply the DME distance by 3 and add 200ft we will know what altitude we need to be at for any given DME distance (saves having to look at the chart all the time). If we have descended to 3000ft then we know we will be on the ideal 3 degree slope just before the 9 ml point (9 x 3 = 2700 + 200 = 2900ft). Just before you get there set the Auto pilot or altitude alerter selector down to MDA or the nearest 100ft below the MDA if not a whole 100ft.
On this approach we would select 400ft.
We now need to set the required descent using Vert speed. The flight sim will pre-select an initial rate to get you going.