Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When are you actually "established" on an instrument approach?
ATC says, "Maintain 2,100 until established, cleared approach." It's one of the most common IFR clearances you'll ever receive, but when can you actually begin your descent?
In this lesson, we'll look at what the FAA says about being established on both RNAV (GPS) and ILS approaches. You'll learn:
Why RNAV approaches have a measurable FAA definition of "established"
How GPS CDI sensitivity changes from enroute to terminal to approach mode
When you can legally descend after being vectored onto an RNAV approach
Why the FAA no longer provides a quantitative definition for ILS, VOR, and other ground-based approaches
Where the familiar "half-scale CDI" rule came from—and why it's no longer found in current FAA guidance
The practical differences between RNAV and localizer intercepts in the cockpit
Whether you're preparing for your instrument rating, an IPC, or an IFR checkride, understanding this clearance can help you fly safer, smoother approaches and avoid one of the most misunderstood concepts in instrument flying.
🚀 Master IFR flying with FlightInsight's complete online courses:
flight-insight.com/courses
📘 FlightInsight IFR Checkride Study Guide:
flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf
If you enjoy practical IFR training based on FAA guidance—not just rules of thumb—be sure to subscribe for new videos every week.
When are you actually "established" on an instrument approach?
ATC says, "Maintain 2,100 until established, cleared approach." It's one of the most common IFR clearances you'll ever receive, but when can you actually begin your descent?
In this lesson, we'll look at what the FAA says about being established on both RNAV (GPS) and ILS approaches. You'll learn:
Why RNAV approaches have a measurable FAA definition of "established"
How GPS CDI sensitivity changes from enroute to terminal to approach mode
When you can legally descend after being vectored onto an RNAV approach
Why the FAA no longer provides a quantitative definition for ILS, VOR, and other ground-based approaches
Where the familiar "half-scale CDI" rule came from—and why it's no longer found in current FAA guidance
The practical differences between RNAV and localizer intercepts in the cockpit
Whether you're preparing for your instrument rating, an IPC, or an IFR checkride, understanding this clearance can help you fly safer, smoother approaches and avoid one of the most misunderstood concepts in instrument flying.
🚀 Master IFR flying with FlightInsight's complete online courses:
flight-insight.com/courses
📘 FlightInsight IFR Checkride Study Guide:
flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf
If you enjoy practical IFR training based on FAA guidance—not just rules of thumb—be sure to subscribe for new videos every week.
