Types Of Nonprecision Approaches

INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES WORKBOOK

CHAPTER THREE

MSA minimum altitudes may be displayed as sectors of the Terminal Arrival Area (TAA). See

the RNAV (GPS) RWY 35 at Pensacola Regional for an example of TAA minimum altitudes.

Types Of Nonprecision Approaches

A procedure turn is a maneuver used whenever it is necessary to reverse direction to establish the

aircraft inbound on the final approach course. Three types of procedure turns to be discussed

here are the 45 procedure turn, the teardrop turn, and the holding pattern in lieu of procedure

turn.

View the VOR RWY 8 approach at Pensacola Regional for a 45 procedure turn example.

The procedure turn is a required maneuver (bold lines on the approach pate) except (1) when the

symbol NoPT is shown, (2) when radar vectoring to the final approach course is provided, (3)

when an aircraft is established in a one minute holding pattern at the IAF, or (4) when the

procedure turn is not depicted on the approach plate. Under any one of the above conditions a

pilot may NOT execute a procedure turn unless he asks for and receives clearance from ATC to

do so. A barb symbol indicates the direction or side of the outbound course on which the

procedure turn is made. However, the point at which the turn may be commenced and the type

and rate of turn is left to the discretion of the pilot.

View the NDB 2 RWY at Cairns AAF for a teardrop procedure turn example.

The teardrop procedure turn consists of departure from an initial approach fix on an outbound

course followed by a turn toward and intercepting the inbound course. Its purpose is to permit an

aircraft to reverse direction and lose considerable altitude within reasonably limited airspace.

View the VOR or GPS-A at Crestview for an example of a holding pattern in lieu of procedure

turn.

A holding pattern in lieu of procedure turn may be specified for course reversal on some

instrument approach plates. In such cases, the holding pattern is established over an immediate

fix or FAF. The holding pattern distance or time specified in the profile view must be observed.

All procedure turn approaches must be completed within the "remain within the distance"

depicted in the profile view. This distance is called the procedure turn maneuvering area and is

usually 10 NM. However, the maneuvering area may be as large as 20 NM or as small as 5 NM.

If no course reversal is necessary, a procedural track will still be specified using a heavy black

line. This is the intended aircraft ground track from the IAF to the FAF and may include only

the inbound course (straight-in) or a combination of arcs and courses (arcing approaches). Some

procedure tracks may even include dead reckoning courses.

View the TAC RWY 19 at Pensacola NAS for an example of a straight-in approach. View the

TAC RWY 23 at North Whiting for an example of an arcing approach.

INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURES 3-15