Where you are, smoking into your destination airport. Winds are calm, traffic is sparse, the ceiling is 1500 broken with good VFR underneath, youve got plenty of gas. But a close look at the approach plate creates confusion: Youre being vectored to a nearby fix, but its not at all clear how-or even whether-some kind of course reversal will be necessary. You certainly can slow down enough to easily nail the turn onto final, along with the approach, but something in the back of 288
(Oh) No Procedure Turn
Where you are, smoking into your destination airport. Winds are calm, traffic is sparse, the ceiling is 1500 broken with good VFR underneath, youve got plenty of gas. But a close look at the approach plate creates confusion: Youre being vectored to a nearby fix, but its not at all clear how-or even whether-some kind of course reversal will be necessary. You certainly can slow down enough to easily nail the turn onto final, along with the approach, but something in the back of your mind says it wont be that simple. Suddenly, it dawns on you: Youre going to need to execute a procedure turn.
Key Takeaways:
- A procedure turn (PT) is a method for pilots to align with an instrument approach's final course when not provided radar vectors, with flexibility in how it's flown (e.g., standard turn, 80/260, or holding-pattern style) within protected airspace.
- When a holding pattern is charted "in lieu" of a standard procedure turn, pilots are required to use that specific holding-pattern style course reversal, which is also useful for getting prepared or "stacked" for an approach.
- Proficient pilots may request to fly a procedure turn (own navigation) over radar vectors as it can offer a more efficient way to manage descent, speed, and aircraft configuration for an approach, especially in less controlled airspace.
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