Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA) Calculator
This page is an online calculator for pilots planning an instrument approach. Javascript is required to use the calculator.
- Enter in the ICAO identifier for the airport in question.
This will pull the current METAR data so you can see the current winds and altimter setting.
- Enter the touchdown zone elevation (TDZE), temperature, altimeter, your airspeed and the wind and crosswind angle.
The calculator will calculate your true airspeed, headwind and cross wind components and your ground speed on final.
- Enter the distance from the final approach fix (FAF) to the visual descent point (VDP) and how much altitude you need to lose.
This calculates the descent angle, descent rate in feet per minute and the time from the FAF to the VDP.
The Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA) is a technique for flying the final approach segment of an
NPA as a continuous descent. The technique is consistent with stabilized approach procedures
and has no level-off. A CDFA starts from an altitude/height at or above the FAF and proceeds to
an altitude/height approximately 50 feet (15 meters) above the landing runway threshold or to a
point where the flare maneuver should begin for the type of aircraft being flown. This definition
harmonizes with the ICAO and the European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA).
Information about Constant Angle Descent Approaches
Reference Information
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