Definition
A table published in the front of each volume of the U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication that lists the increases to landing minimums (visibility and sometimes decision altitude or minimum descent altitude) required when certain ground-based approach components or airborne equipment are out of service. The table specifies how much the published approach minimums must be raised based on the approach category and the inoperative item, such as an approach light system or a component of the ILS.
Plain English
A chart that tells pilots how much higher the landing weather minimums must be when something needed for the approach, like the approach lights or a part of the ILS, is broken or turned off.
Context Anchor
Seen when reviewing instrument approach procedures and preflight information for an approach with reported equipment or visual-aid outages.
Derivation
Inoperative means not operating or not working. Component means one part of a larger system. Table means information arranged for quick reference. Together, the term points to a quick-reference chart for parts of an approach system that are not working.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the pilot to determine the correct, legal minimums and whether the approach remains usable, preventing descent below safe altitudes when equipment is missing.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a general maintenance list for the airplane. In this context, it is a procedure table showing what changes when a listed part of the approach environment is out of service.
Example Sentence 1
When the NOTAM showed the approach lights were out of service, the pilot checked the inoperative component table and added a quarter mile to the visibility minimum.
Example Sentence 2
Using the inoperative component table, the crew confirmed they could still fly the approach with the outer marker inoperative by substituting a suitable fix.