Confusion; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
Safety Concern: FAA/NGA A/FD guidance for PDX states that 'Rwy 21 clsd to Height Group IV acraft with cockpit to wheel height greater than 22'.' According to the PDX Airfield Manager's Office representative who is knowledgeable of the restriction; this is due to the VGSI settings not compliant with Height Group 4 setting parameters. According to the representative; this restriction has been in place for at least 20 years. This is a safety related restriction. In addition; it is enforceable on pilots. This restriction is not communicated to aircrews through any current commercial chart products and Height Group IV aircraft databases both contain the LOC21 approach procedure; which could lead crews to think the approach and runway are legal to use. Recommendations: 1. Include a note to this effect in flight paperwork for any Height Group IV aircraft flights into PDX and the surrounding airports (in case of alternate/diversion) 2. Request commercial chart provider AND FAA/NGA to publish this restriction on the LOC21 procedure itself; in the Notes section. The IAP is the best place to publish this because it is usually the first and then the last document a crew will study and utilize when preparing for arrival and executing an approach/landing. 3. Coordinate with commercial chart provider to annotate this restriction. 4. Remove the LOC21 procedure from all applicable aircraft types' GPS database.
An Air Carrier pilot reported aircraft in Height Group IV (B757 and larger) with a cockpit to nose wheel height 22' or greater are prohibited from landing on PDX Runway 21 because the VGSI angle and runway end location are not compliant with FAA Flight Standards guidelines for aircraft in Group IV.