​Chart Wise: Rangeley Lake Seaplane Base (M57) RNAV (GPS)-C

There aren’t many approaches in the IFR system that let a pilot fly an instrument procedure that doesn’t terminate on land, but this one does. This approach brings a pilot to the northern port of Rangeley Lake in Maine.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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A) IFR Approach to Water Landing

A second page of this approach plate offers a pilot a diagram that shows it will culminate in a landing on a body of water with a designated landing area as depicted. Be sure you’re float-equipped and, if in an amphibious aircraft, that your wheels are up before touchdown.

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B) Start at SHINY

Whether you’re vectored onto the approach or flying this approach as a full procedure, you can expect it to likely begin at or pass through the SHINY waypoint. From here, the pilot will get established onto the approach and follow a 064-degree path for 10 nm to the FAF at ZEMSI waypoint.

C) Turn at the FAF

The pilot maintains the 064 degree track until the FAF then turns to the right to follow a track of 091 degrees. This isn’t as common on approaches, so pay attention to the sequencing in the GPS approach process. After the FAF the pilot will follow a 091-degree track for 3.4 nm to the missed approach point at FOXAL, where hopefully the pilot will be able to transition to a landing.

D) Circling Only Minimums

The minimums for this approach only offer circling minimums, ranging from a lowest minimum (2,400 msl) to the highest (2,760 msl), depending on the approach category of the aircraft the pilot was flying. It can get them as low as 882 agl for Category A approach speed aircraft and 1,102 agl for Category B speed aircraft. Going faster? Well, not on this approach. It is not authorized for categories C and D approach speed aircraft.

The lowest minimums also require getting an altimeter setting on the CTAF, something most pilots have never done before. That can be obtained on 122.9 from the local seaplane base. This is different from most approaches where the pilot will obtain a local altimeter setting an ATIS, ASOS, or AWOS frequency. If that can’t be obtained, there are higher minimums that could be used if the pilot received the BERLIN altimeter setting instead, with minimums available that are higher at 2,520 msl (1,022 agl for Category A and 2,760 (1,242 agl) for Category B.

E) Going Missed

If you happen to be flying this approach in an aircraft without floats just for the fun of it, or you don’t see the landing area when you reach minimums or the missed approach point at FOXAL, it’s time to go missed. The missed approach involves the pilot climbing to 6,000 feet msl and proceeding direct to the SAWTO waypoint, then following a track of 044 degrees to the EYEES waypoint, where they enter the hold.

F) Not Authorized at Night

A note on the approach indicates that it’s a “Procedure NA at night.” Landing on the lake at night would certainly be an ill-advised idea. Plan ahead if you’re going to be approaching to arrive with sufficient light in the morning or before the end of the day to make a safe landing during daylight conditions.

This column first appeared in the June Ultimate Issue 971 of the FLYING print edition.