If an approach plate notes 'DME Required', what does that mean?

If an approach plate notes 'DME Required', what does that mean?

• A. The aircraft must be equipped with DME
• B. The aircraft must be equipped with GPS
• C. DME is not required
• D. DME is only for vehicles

Answer: (A)

DME stands for distance measuring equipment. When an approach plate says DME required, it means you must have DME on board to determine your distance from the DME gateway used for the approach. Those distance readings are used to locate fixes and to know when to descend or cross a specific point along the final approach. Without DME, you can’t reliably fly the published procedure as written. GPS alone doesn’t automatically satisfy this note unless the procedure explicitly allows a GPS overlay or substitution; otherwise, you need actual DME equipment. This note isn’t about vehicles and it doesn’t mean DME isn’t needed.

DME stands for distance measuring equipment. When an approach plate says DME required, it means you must have DME on board to determine your distance from the DME gateway used for the approach. Those distance readings are used to locate fixes and to know when to descend or cross a specific point along the final approach. Without DME, you can’t reliably fly the published procedure as written. GPS alone doesn’t automatically satisfy this note unless the procedure explicitly allows a GPS overlay or substitution; otherwise, you need actual DME equipment. This note isn’t about vehicles and it doesn’t mean DME isn’t needed.