These are two random examples of approaches I found that appear identical in the way they'd be flown and their setup. The first at KSFY is titled just VOR-A but says "DME required" in the text. How is this any different than the VOR/DME-A at 57C? What makes one have DME in the title and not in the other?
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FAA transitioning to ICAO standards
For historical reasons, FAA and other aviation authorities around the wold have used conventions that are sometimes remote from international conventions set by ICAO. FAA is currently in the process of transitioning to ICAO standards in several domains for safety reasons and in the perspective of drastic changes coming in a near future, which are planned worldwide and require more homogeneity.
US AIP and procedure names: ICAO Doc 8168
In the domain of aeronautical publications (AIP), the known example is the adoption of the common NOTAM format. A similar transition is also conducted for instrument procedure names to meet common conventions set in ICAO PANS-OPS (Doc 8168) volume 2, part I, section 4:
- One navaid in the name, the one used for the lateral guidance.
- If a second navaid is required, it appears only on the plan view as a mention "XXX required".
Using ICAO naming, in the approach based on a VOR/DME system, the lateral guidance is the VOR, the DME is the second navaid used. While the VOR is required for using the approach, the DME is not, unless it is specified on the plan view.
For example, if the mention "DME required" doesn't appear on the plan view, then a GNSS can be used in place of the DME. See Can GPS be used in lieu of DME for instrument approaches?.
Until this update process is completed, some VOR approaches will still be identified as VOR/DME. In the meantime the US AIP mentions the difference with ICAO guidelines:
The United States does not construct Visual nor Instrument Flight Procedures per Volume II. The U.S. constructs Visual and Instrument Flight Procedures following the cited FAA Orders 8260.3, 8260.19, 8260.46, 8260.58, and 8260.61.
ICAO PANS-OPS convention
ICAO PANS-OPS (Doc 8168) volume 2, part I, section 4:
9.5.2.1 General. The chart identification for procedures requiring ground-based navaids shall only contain the name describing the type of radio navigation aid providing the final approach lateral guidance [...]
If two radio navigation aids are used for final approach lateral guidance, the chart identification shall only include the last radio navigation aid used [...]
9.5.2.2 If additional navigation aids or equipment are required for the approach procedure, associated additional equipment requirements shall be specified on the plan view of the chart, but not in the the chart identification [...]
9.5.2.2.1 The equipment requirements mentioned on the plan view refer only to the equipment on board the aircraft necessary to conduct the procedure in normal mode (i.e. not for backup). For example: [...] "DME required" on a VOR approach.
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$\begingroup$ Thank you for your answer. Moving slightly away from the question, what are the instances where DME is not required for the VOR approach? The only one I can think of is when there are set times with speeds given for the distance between the FAF and the MAP, any others? $\endgroup$Cox Wyatt– Cox Wyatt2025-11-28 01:36:15 +00:00Commented yesterday
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$\begingroup$ @CoxWyatt: I'm not sure this is the only case, in particular I'm wondering if the way the MAPt is defined (whether it is collocated with a facility or a fix) is a factor. You should ask a new question to get a confirmation. $\endgroup$mins– mins2025-11-28 09:37:14 +00:00Commented yesterday
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AIM 5-4-5a3(b) describes how equipment requirements are charted in your examples:
When radar or other equipment is required for procedure entry from the en route environment, a note will be charted in the planview of the approach procedure chart (e.g., RADAR REQUIRED or ADF REQUIRED). When radar or other equipment is required on portions of the procedure outside the final approach segment, including the missed approach, a note will be charted in the notes box of the pilot briefing portion of the approach chart (e.g., RADAR REQUIRED or DME REQUIRED).
KSFY VOR-A has an IAF defined by CVA 036 radial 5 DME, so DME is required to enter the procedure. That's why the planview says DME REQUIRED.
57C VOR/DME-A starts at the BAE VOR, so DME is not required to enter the procedure, but it is required to fly it.
Also, per the note at the end of that paragraph:
The slash and equipment (e.g., /DME) information will be removed with future amendments.
The title and planview notation are both being gradually replaced by an equipment requirements box near the top of the chart that will list the equipment requirements and also where the equipment is required. Example:
