If you happened to fly into PHMK under an instrument flight plan recently you will have noticed that your favorite RNAV (GPS) approach into the airport has morphed into a new procedure as of February 25. The ‘old’ approach would have you arrive at initial approach fix KOLTE or JEMKO, followed by a rather steep final approach segment once clear of the mountain ridge south-west of the airport. The missed approach would then lead you to the HAPAI intersection 10 NM north-east of the airport for a hold.
The *new and improved* PHMK RNAV (GPS)-B approach features new approach fixes that you won’t find in your panel-mounted navigation device lest you updated the database recently. The new approach provides three IAFs, one of which is part of the final approach leg and is associated with a racecourse course reversal pattern. Significantly, the final approach course is slightly more to the east relative to the approach procedure it replaced. This avoids step-down fixes which caused you to ‘dive and drive’ on the old procedure. The entire approach from the IAF ATOSE to the MAP JOPKI is flown with a comfortable 3.39º descent angle on a course of 001º. The missed approach takes you to a new holding fix GAKCU 14.2 NM north of the airport.
There will be a little more maneuvering to get in a position to land since you will arrive on a 50º base leg rather than a final approach leg to the airport and the position of the new holding fix adds two minutes to the return trip to the IAF.
FlightAware_MKK_IAP_RNAV (GPS)-B