Airports
California Rnav Procedures Contain Errors
Design problems in Rnav procedures affect Norm Mineta and Sacramento International.

The FAA said it is aggressively working to correct a number of design problems in some Rnav procedures released last week for San Jose Norman Y. Mineta International airport (SJC) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Two standard terminal arrival routes (Stars) into SJC (SILCN and RAZZR) Runway 12L/R contain descent angles that are too steep for most aircraft to fly—losing 1,600 feet in 4.2 miles. ATC will instead issue standard descend-and-maintain clearance until the problem is corrected. The Rnav/RNP approaches to Runway 12L/R will be unusable because of mismatched altitudes and speeds.