Approaches with ‘M,’ ‘N,’ etc. in the Title

I recently ran across the RNAV (GPS) RWY 23 N Approach approach at Pullman, WA (KPUW).

Note the N in the procedure title. This approach appears in the procedures listed for KPUW in the GTN 750Xi in the Garmin PC Trainer Suite.

But you won’t find a chart for this approach because it’s a Special Instrument Flight Procedure (aka, a non-Part 97 approach). Section 1-6-5. Non-Part 97 Approach Procedure Naming in ORDER 8260.3E (part of TERPS) explains the naming conventions for such special procedures:

…straight-in approach procedures will be designated with the suffixes “M,” “N,” “P,” or “Q.” Circling-only approach procedures will be designated with the suffixes “J” or “K.”
…
a. The first approach established uses the suffix “M” (or “J” if circling-only) even though there may be no intention to establish additional procedures.

The database in the Garmin trainer includes the N approach to RWY 23, but not the M procedure to RWY 05, which is in the list described below. That list shows that these approaches at KPUW are maintained by Alaska Airlines, which operates Horizon flights to that airport.

Special instrument flight procedures may appear in the databases of the navigators that you use. You can find a list of special instrument flight procedures at the FAA website here.

But as that page notes, “Distribution of procedure documentation is restricted to authorized users in accordance with FAA Order 8260.60.” In other words, you can’t get the chart unless the FAA has approved you to fly a specific special instrument flight procedure.

For more information about approach naming conventions, see Z, Y, X in Approach Titles here at BruceAir.