What does the profile view on an instrument approach chart show?

• A. Plan view of an IAP chart.
• B. Side view of an IAP chart illustrating the vertical approach path, altitudes, headings, distances, and fixes.
• C. Weather depiction.
• D. Cross section of the runway.

Answer: (B)

The profile view provides the vertical slice of the approach, shown as a side view along the final approach course. It depicts how you descend along the approach path, with the altitudes you must be at at each fix, the distances between those fixes, and the positions of the fixes that define the vertical path. This view shows the final approach segment and any step-down altitudes, so you can plan and execute the descent from the initial approach altitude down to the minimums, including where you would reach the decision altitude or minimum descent altitude. It’s different from the plan view, which is the top-down layout of the course and fixes, and from weather depiction, which isn’t part of the vertical profile.