5-12-10

Elevation Failure

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

If the elevation portion of PAR equipment fails during a precision approach:
1. Discontinue PAR instructions and tell the aircraft to take over visually or if unable, to execute a missed approach. If the aircraft executes a missed approach, apply subparagraph 2 below.
  Phraseology
  
  NO GLIDEPATH INFORMATION AVAILABLE. IF RUNWAY, APPROACH/RUNWAY LIGHTS, NOT IN SIGHT, EXECUTE MISSED APPROACH/(alternative instructions).
2. If a surveillance approach, ASR or PAR without glide slope, is established for the same runway, inform the aircraft that a surveillance approach can be given. Use ASR or the azimuth portion of the PAR to conduct the approach and apply Chapter 5, Radar, Section 11, Surveillance Approaches- Terminal. When the PAR azimuth is used, inform the pilot that mileage information will be from touchdown, and at those runways where specific minima have been established for PAR without glideslope, inform the pilot that the PAR azimuth will be used for the approach.
  Example
  1. Approach information when PAR azimuth used:
    “This will be a surveillance approach to runway three six. Mileages will be from touchdown.”
    or
    “This will be a surveillance approach to runway three six using P-A-R azimuth. Mileages will be from touchdown.”
  2. Descent Instructions:
    “Five miles from touchdown, descend to your minimum descent altitude/minimum altitude.”
  Reference
  
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-10-2, Approach Information.
  FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 5-11-4, Descent Instructions.
If the elevation portion of the PAR equipment is inoperative before starting a precision approach, apply subparagraph a 2.