Using the ILS Z Approach for runway 06R for Berlin, I have noticed that I’m given a channel for KLF DME (CH 98Y KLF). I fly civil aviation, and given a Channel for the navaid, I’m not able to tune to this DME, nor use it, for me to tune the frequency and navigate myself based on the navaid. I don’t know what I am supposed to do with the channel, and if my aircraft didn’t have the DME stored in its GPS database, the DME would be useless.
Please provide us the correct VHF frequencies, not solely for KLF DME, but for every other Navaid that is provided with a Channel, and is not a TACAN, that I’m not aware of at the moment.
Civil aviation is based on VHF frequencies, not UHF channels, so giving us a Channel would just not make sense.
I’m aware that DMEs do use a channel, but in the same time they use a frequency as well, and giving us a frequency would be more appropriate for navigation. Thank you.
Hi there and welcome to the forum.
So the ILS Z approach chart states that, in order to legally conduct it, must be equipped with GNSS or DME/DME/IRU for initial, intermediate and missed approach. The approach is classed as an RNAV1 procedure so KLFs role here is a coded fix and DME/DME position source, and does not have a radial you can track. The 182° into KLF is an RNAV track.
KLF is a standalone DME which is why the chart shows it by channel rather than a VHF frequency. That is Jeppesen’s convention for DME facilities that are not co-located with a VOR or localizer. You could technically convert the frequency but that is outside the scope of the approach, again, it being an RNAV1 procedure.
I get that it’s an RNAV approach, and all of the procedures and data are stored in the database of the aircraft, but on the other hand, it’s a bit of a nuisance to be given a UHF channel instead of a VHF frequency, don’t you think? First of all because pilots are not capable of inserting channels in their FMS, and also why shouldn’t they be able to check the frequency at all times on the chart, in case they want to insert it on their FMS? Let’s also take into account that there could be multiple “KLF” identifications around the vicinity of the airport, so checking the frequency would confirm to the pilots they have selected the correct navaid.
As I’m checking through some STARs of the same airport, I see the same navaid (KLF) with a frequency assigned this time (115.15). I also highlight that the STARs are also RNAV and the aircraft is expected to have the navaid in its database, but the frequency is there. Are there any particular reasons STARs contain the VHF frequency of the beacon and some other procedures (such as the missed approach procedure of Z 06R) contain solely the UHF channel of it?
I have also checked some real-life plates of the exact same procedure, and they contain the frequency as normal.
In conclusion, pilots setting the VHF frequency of the navaid would still retrieve the information of the beacon, whether it’s solely a DME. I haven’t understood entirely why you have selected to display a channel instead of a frequency on that particular plate, as it’s useless for most pilots as well.
Thats a totally fair case.
KLF does appear with the frequency on the RNAV STAR chart and it technically should reflect on the approach chart for consistensies sake.
I’ll forward this to our GIS team so we can forward the query to Jeppesen, however it is totally up to them if they deem the correction neccessary. We’ll keep you in the loop regardless.
Thank you. I appreciate your time and responses.