Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
We were cleared for the RNAV Visual Approach 26R. On the final segment; I selected the ILS frequency to get the blue overlay as a back up. As we began the descent at the FAF using snowflake guidance; I became uncomfortable with the descent rate and recall 'feeling low.' I disconnected the autopilot; corrected the pitch and called for Flaps 45 degrees. It wasn't until after the flaps were set at 45 degrees when I noticed that we were just below 1;000 FT above airport elevation. This was the first RNAV Visual Approach I have flown; so I was focusing most of my attention to altitude restrictions and verifying that the aircraft was following the correct approach path. I was briefly confused that the blue overlay didn't appear (because the ILS was not loaded.) The snow flake descent took us below the standard glide path; so I had to disconnect the autopilot and reestablish glide path.
A CRJ-200 Captain; flying his first ever RNAV Visual approach to Runway 26R at ATL; tuned; but did not display; the ILS as a back up to the RNAV driven 'snowflake.' Confusion reigned until he was 'feeling low' on the approach and reverted to visual perception to arrest his excessive rate of descent; restabilize and complete the approach and landing.