The Initial Approach Fix (IAF) is the point where the initial approach segment of an

instrument approach In aviation, an instrument approach or instrument approach procedure (IAP) is a series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly transfer of an aircraft operating under instrument flight rules from the beginning of the initial approach to a landi ...

begins. An instrument approach procedure may have more than one Initial approach fix and initial approach segment. The initial approach fix is usually a designated intersection,

VHF omnidirectional range Very high frequency omnirange station (VOR) is a type of short-range radio navigation system for aircraft, enabling aircraft with a receiving unit to determine its position and stay on course by receiving radio signals transmitted by a network ...

(VOR),

non-directional beacon A non-directional beacon (NDB) or non-directional radio beacon is a radio beacon which does not include directional information. Radio beacons are radio transmitters at a known location, used as an aviation or marine navigational aid. NDB are ...

(NDB), or

distance measuring equipment In aviation, distance measuring equipment (DME) is a radio navigation technology that measures the slant range (distance) between an aircraft and a ground station by timing the propagation delay of radio signals in the frequency band between 9 ...

(DME) fix. The initial approach fix may be collocated with the '' intermediate fix'' (IF) of the instrument approach and in such case they designate the beginning of the intermediate segment of the approach. When the initial approach fix and the intermediate fix are combined, there is no initial approach segment.

References

{{cite book , author = Jeppesen Sanderson , authorlink = Jeppesen Sanderson , title = Guided Flight Discovery Instrument Commercial , publisher = Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc. , year = 2006 , pages = 7–3–7-4 , isbn = 0-88487-387-0 Air navigation Air traffic control