What is the Initial Approach Fix (IAF)?

• A. The fix that marks the end of the instrument approach.
• B. The fix indicating where the final approach begins.
• C. A hold at the end of the approach.
• D. The fix depicted on IAP charts where the instrument approach procedure begins unless otherwise authorized by ATC.

Answer: (D)

The Initial Approach Fix is the point on the instrument approach procedure where you actually begin the approach as depicted on the approach chart. It’s shown as a fix or intersection, and from there you fly the initial approach segment toward the intermediate fix or the final approach segment. There can be multiple Initial Approach Fixes on an approach, connected by feeder routes from enroute airspace, and you may join the approach from ATC-cleared routes or holds to align with the final path. ATC can authorize starting the approach at a different point, but the charted IAF is the standard starting point for the procedure. This description matches the option that the Start of the instrument approach is the fix depicted on IAP charts where the procedure begins unless ATC tells you otherwise. The other statements describe later parts of the approach—the end point of the approach, the point where the final approach begins, or a hold at the end—so they don’t define where the approach begins.