Approach Through the Clouds to Boeing Field

Описание: Ride along on an IFR day in Seattle as I fly the RNAV Y RWY 14R approach at Boeing Field (KBFI). This was the last of three approaches and holds that I flew for IFR currency with another CFI along as a safety pilot. As you’ll see, this approach was loggable even without simulating IMC—we flew through clouds inside the FAF.

This flight was another test of the data capture and replay features of the online service FlySto, using information downloaded from the Garmin G500Txi and GTN 750Xi in my panel.

The video begins as ATC vectored us to join the approach. Seattle TRACON controllers have a challenging job sequencing aircraft for the ILS and RNAV approaches to KBFI while also fitting us into the flow of airliners descending overhead into KSEA.

The RNAV Y 14R approach is designed to bring aircraft through Elliott Bay to avoid overflights of the noise-sensitive Magnolia neighborhood that lies directly beneath the FAF for the ILS. It’s a challenge to fly the short segments that define the path to the FAF at COLMT, where you also must make a 15-degree right turn to track the final approach segment. The procedure designers used the short segments instead of an arc because they didn’t want to rely on RF legs. Not all RNAV-equipped aircraft are approved to fly those arc-like segments—although with my avionics, I can fly RNAV-1 RF legs.

The chart for this approach was updated in February 2025 to remove the LNAV minimums to an MDA. Now you must be able to follow the approved GP to the LPV or LNAV/VNAV DA. This approach, like the ILS to 14R, also has a quirk for the published missed approach. You must remain at or below 1500 feet until you are well clear of the inbound traffic to KSEA.
Now join me in the A36 for the approach featuring data overlays from FlySto as I descend along the final approach course to a full-stop landing.