That sounds familiar

I was briefing the plate, “alrighty, we’re cleared direct to the initial approach fix JOVUR then we have our intermediate fix of PHILB, and a step down to DEFND and final approach fix of GEEAY.” In that moment, I realized the fix names were all a nod to AOPA’s third president, Phil Boyer, defending GA.

That led me to wonder what other fun and notable arrivals and approaches are out there. As it turns out, more than I could include in an article, but here are a few ones I added to my bucket list:

Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)—

HANBL THREE and LECTR THREE arrivals

These approaches are likely references to pop culture icon cannibal Hannibal Lecter from Thomas Harris’ Red Dragon novel and the subsequent movies and TV shows. Fix names include HANBL and LECTR, of course, along with fixes like SHANX, PRWLR, and FAAVA—a reference to the 1991 movie where Anthony Hopkins playing the antagonist claims to have eaten a liver “with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” Why Detroit for these references? Your guess is as good as mine.

Key West International (EYW)—

BUFTT ONE departure

This departure is named after the late great musician and aviator Jimmy Buffett. Buffett and his airplane, a Grumman HU–16 Albatross named Hemisphere Dancer, made plenty of appearances island-hopping around Key West, and so it is only fitting that the BUFTT departure and fix guides you out from the city that is home to the original Margaritaville. The Hemisphere Dancer is now on display at the Universal CityWalk in Orlando.

Kansas City International (MCI)—

ILS or LOC Runway 1R

The ILS procedure will give you a sense that you’re being guided to the self-proclaimed Barbecue Capital of the World. Fixes on the ILS to Runway 1R include the initial approach fix of SPICY followed by the BARBQ fix, as well as other fixes such as COOKD and TERKY. Just make sure to be stabilized by the final approach fix of RIBBS or risk getting lost in the sauce.

Portsmouth International at Pease, New Hampshire (PSM)—RNAV Runway 16

If you thought the other ones were too obvious, here’s a more challenging reference to dig out of the fixes: you could be routed ITAWT, ITAWA, PUDYE to Runway 16 and execute the missed approach to TTATT and IDEED. This is, allegedly, Tweety’s catchphrase from Looney Tunes, “I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat, I did!” Once you see it, it’s hard to miss.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)—

FRDMM Six Arrival

Some arrivals are memorials. The FRDMM (freedom) Six arrival in the Washington, D.C., area include patriotic fixes like HONNR, BRVRY, COURG, and PLDGE. The following fixes are WEWIL NEVVR FORGT SEPII, an homage to the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Following waypoints include STAND, TGTHR, and FRDMM. Fittingly, LETZZ RLLLL, VICTRY, and HEROO will guide you into Joint Base Andrews or the Davison Army Airfield (or a couple of DCA’s runways).

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower International (ICT)—

RNAV Runway 1R

There’s no place like home, and if Kansas is home to you, you’ll remember the advice from the Wizard of Oz, and fittingly, that same advice might be given to you in the clouds. The initial approach fixes of FOLOW and BBRIK will take you to the intermediate fix YELOO, and final approach fix RROAD. Click your heels a couple of times and you’ll break out of the clouds in no time.

Duluth International Airport (DLH)—

RNAV Runway 27

Home to Cirrus’ R&D facility and the site of the first SR20 delivery, it’s only fitting that an approach pays tribute to the aircraft manufacturer’s legacy in Duluth. On the GPS approach to Runway 27, you’ll find the waypoints SRTWO, PLANE, HOMUV (as in home of), and CIRUS. A cool approach to fly in a Cirrus.

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