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Fly the Procedure Turn

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Procedure turns are never optional; they are either mandatory or strictly prohibited based on specific conditions, including receiving radar vectors, flying a "NoPT" segment, being cleared for a "straight-in" approach, or if no procedure turn is depicted.
  • When a procedure turn is required, pilots should execute it by extending sufficiently outbound (e.g., 6 miles with GPS/DME) to allow for stabilization before the turn, ensuring the maneuver remains within the charted distance limits.
  • Hold In Lieu of Procedure Turns (HiLPTs) follow the same rules as traditional procedure turns, are identified by a solid bold line on charts, and require ATC permission for any deviations from the charted holding pattern, such as extra laps.
See a mistake? Contact us.

We all learned how to fly procedure turns when we got our instrument rating. We probably even had to fly a procedure turn or two on the practical test to qualify for the certificate. But since then it has been vectors to final nearly every time and our ability to fly a procedure turn correctly might have suffered in the interim. So let’s reawaken some old memories—or worse, create some new ones—by taking a detailed look at what it takes to fly a procedure turn the right way.

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