PaulaJay1 wrote:


My refference is Trevor Thom's Instrument Flying.

He says:

"The FAF is marked on IAP charts with a maltese cross or a lighting bolt
symbol. Where no final approach fix is shown, final descent should not be
commenced until the airplane is established within +or- 5 deg of the final
approach course."

His advice is good, but technically would apply only to ICAO PANS-OPs countries
where they define on course with plus-or-minus limits. In a strict sense the FAA
refuses to legally define on-course as anything other than on-course, the PTS
standards notwithstanding.



This is confusing to me as it says it is marked and then says what to do when
it isn't. If I were flying it, I would assume Bryne (though assumptions on
fimal are dangerous). Another interesting point, for flying the NDB, it
doesn't say VOR required.


No, because the VOR fix is optional. If you can use it, you get lower minimums.
And, it is policy to never state "VOR Required" because every IFR airplane is
presumed to have at least one VOR receiver.