Gaps in FPL between STAR and approach

This is normal gap behavior for the IFD. The “Activate Approach” LSK 4 hook will show up on the FMS FPL tab when the IFD active waypoint is followed by a gap before the approach. On the PALMZ2.PALMZ for 8L arrival, the Activate Approach LSK 4 hook shows up upon crossing COOFS when DHP becomes the IFD active waypoint.

With all FMS’s I have used, some pilot action needs to be taken to get the FMS to navigate to an active waypoint on the other side of a route discontinuity (gap). In the IFD’s case, all “Activate Approach” is gets the IFD active waypoint to cross the gap between the arrival and approach by performing a direct to the first point of the approach (PABOY in the case of KMIA LOC 8L). There are other ways to get the IFD active waypoint to cross the gap without waiting for or using the Activate Approach LSK. For instance, if at any point on the PALMZ2 arrival, ATC instructions are to proceed direct to PABOY, just perform a direct to PABOY on the IFD using the direct to button. The IFD active waypoint is now on the approach side of the gap and the IFD will give proper guidance for the approach. Alternatively, if ATC instructions are to fly an assigned heading to intercept the LOC 8L final approach course while on the arrival, either an Activate Leg to LICEY or a direct to PABOY with a subsequent setting of an OBS course of 092 to PABOY would get the IFD active waypoint on the approach side of the gap with subsequent proper approach guidance. Essentially, the “Activate Approach” LSK is not at all necessary on the IFD like it was on the GNS system.

One last thought on this scenario, if an Activate Leg to LICEY were performed, the IFD will only display the magenta active course line as far back as PABOY; however, the IFD will generate proper CDI guidance for that course if the intercept actually occurs prior to PABOY even though no magenta course is displayed for that area on the IFD map. If after final approach course intercept in this scenario, the aircraft was still outside of PABOY and either a magenta course line was desired outside of PABOY, or the pilot wanted PABOY as the active waypoint; a direct to PABOY could then be performed.