Greetings all,. Question about a non-precision approach. I was flying the RNAV rwy 27 approach into KSAN today. The chart had me descending to 1800, and then what looks to be a 3.14 degree descent to the rwy. How do you set up the plane to descend like that? Or is that not the proper procedure? Here's the chart. Many thanks.http://flightaware.com/resources/airport/SAN/IAP/RNAV+(GPS)+RWY+27/pdf

Establish on course using lnav while descending down to 1800 to the faf. At the faf and in alt hold and lnav change alt to 0 and activate vnav to follow profile down. Be fully configured by faf; usually at 4 mm from faf gear down flaps 15; once at faf flaps 30. At map or sooner hand fly down.

Basically the idea is to get the plane down quickly, but safely, after crossing REEBO (FAF). That means getting to the MDA (760MSL) well before the runway. Take whatever descent rate you need to do that within acceptable limits.

Establish on course using lnav while descending down to 1800 to the faf. At the faf and in alt hold and lnav change alt to 0 and activate vnav to follow profile down. Be fully configured by faf; usually at 4 mm from faf gear down flaps 15; once at faf flaps 30. At map or sooner hand fly down.

Don't do like ^Sean^ unless you see the runway environment. I'm sure you knew that. Sean is correct in saying the rest should be hand flown once you descend below the MDA (BECAUSE YOU SEE THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT) In review, descent rate will vary on ground speed and when you see the runway environment.

Edited August 15, 201114 yr by ZachLW

Establish on course using lnav while descending down to 1800 to the faf. At the faf and in alt hold and lnav change alt to 0 and activate vnav to follow profile down. Be fully configured by faf; usually at 4 mm from faf gear down flaps 15; once at faf flaps 30. At map or sooner hand fly down.

Dont forget, if its IMC, you dont set 0 on the mcp. You have to set MDA (rounded off to the next highest 100 foot altitude).

Yes both Zachary and jack are correct; typing this on an iPhone sort of shortened my answer. Thanks Zachary and jack for further clarification. Just flew rnav 19L klas a little while ago.