More than two years ago, I introduced the complex approach procedures for Saga Airport. For the ILS RWY29 procedure, you need to pass over the airport at an altitude of 5000 feet, and then make a nearly 180-degree turn before you can land. On the other hand, for a landing on RWY11, since there is no ILS, you are required to fly a traffic pattern and circle around multiple times before touching down.

However, seeing that the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) AR approach procedure will soon be available on the AIP, this procedure takes advantage of the flexibility of the Radius to Fix (RF) leg and is quite valuable for reference.

First, let's look at the RNP AR RWY29. The Initial Approach Fix (IAF) starts at the OMUTA waypoint, maintaining an altitude of 5000 feet until starting the Descent at FS950. Then, entering the RF leg at MUPPY, which is the Intermediate Fix (IF), it performs a descent in a near 360-degree arc over the sea, reaching an altitude of 1600 feet at FS952, the Final Approach Fix (FAF).

The final approach is still an arc-shaped RF route, but the Decision Altitude is 306 feet, which is actually 100 feet higher than the ILS approach—quite surprisingly. However, compared to the previous procedures, it not only significantly reduces noise pollution on the ground, but using RNP AR should also allow airlines to save a considerable amount of fuel.

From a passenger’s perspective, regardless of whether they are seated on the left or right side, as long as the weather is good, they can enjoy a 360-degree aerial tour opportunity over the Ariake Sea—it’s really worth it.

Now looking at the RNP AR RWY11, this route is very easy to understand, with the same Decision Altitude of 306 feet. In bad weather conditions, it is much easier than the previous methods. Those large Turns might be quite thrilling for aviation enthusiasts, but for general passengers, it might be a little too exciting.