Designing an IFR approach is far more complex than drawing a straight line to a runway. In a recent webinar hosted by NAV CANADA, aviation procedure designer Alexandre Schmid walked attendees through what actually goes into building the instrument procedures pilots rely on every day.
For many attendees, the biggest takeaway was just how much planning, regulation, and safety margin is involved. As the session wrapped up, host Jayden admitted he hadn’t realized just how much goes into designing an IFR approach. Alexandre echoed that sentiment, adding that the group had really only scratched the surface of the topic and that there’s much more behind the procedures pilots use every day.
IFR Approach Design Is a System, Not a Single Decision
One of the core messages of the session was that IFR procedures are not designed in isolation. Every approach is the result of multiple overlapping constraints, including:
- Terrain and obstacles surrounding the aerodrome
- Aircraft performance assumptions and protected airspace requirements
- Navigation infrastructure, whether ground-based or satellite-based
- Airspace structure and interaction with nearby procedures
- Regulatory criteria that dictate minimum altitudes, gradients, and tolerances
Designers must ensure that an approach works safely not just in ideal conditions, but across a wide range of aircraft types, pilot experience levels, and environmental factors.
GNSS, GPS, and Modern Navigation Considerations
The webinar also explored how modern IFR procedures increasingly rely on GNSS-based navigation — and what that means for resilience and safety.
During the Q&A, questions were raised about GPS signal vulnerability, including jamming and spoofing. Alexandre explained that while GNSS has enabled more precise and flexible procedures, it also introduces new considerations for system protection, redundancy, and regulatory oversight. Safeguards exist at multiple levels, and intentional interference with GPS signals is illegal due to the broad safety implications for aviation and other critical systems.
Why This Matters for Pilots
For pilots, understanding how IFR approaches are built helps explain:
- Why certain minimums are set where they are
- Why some approaches exist — and others don’t
- Why procedure changes take time
- Why “small” changes in terrain, obstacles, or nav infrastructure can have large downstream effects
Even a high-level awareness of the design process can make pilots more informed, safer, and more confident when flying instrument procedures.
We Really Did Just Scratch the Surface
As the session wrapped up, it became clear that this topic could easily support a multi-part series. The depth of questions and engagement highlighted strong interest in learning more about procedure design, GNSS resilience, and the future of IFR navigation.
The good news: this session was recorded.
🎥 Watch the Full Webinar
If you want the full explanation — including real-world examples and deeper technical context — you can watch the complete webinar recording here:
👉 Watch the full IFR Approach Design webinar
Passcode: a.nZF3Ug
Whether you’re a student pilot, working toward your IFR rating, or simply curious about how instrument procedures come to life, this session offers valuable insight into a part of aviation most pilots rarely get to see.
Disclaimer
This presentation includes general IFR-related concepts and educational discussion. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as formal IFR procedure training. Pilots must always refer to approved training programs, current aeronautical publications, and official regulatory guidance when conducting IFR operations.
All information contained within this presentation is copyrighted by NAV CANADA and is provided for personal viewing only. It is not intended for redistribution, reproduction, or reuse without prior written permission from NAV CANADA.
