What is Established?

Surprisingly, the FAA is not the place to look for a definition of established. The AIM and the Instrument Flying Handbook say nothing on the topic. Only in the Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8261-1A) does a definition pop up, and it just says that ICAO defines established as within half-scale indication on a localizer or VOR course. Useful, but there must be more.

Editorial Staff

Monday, August 04, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA lacks a clear definition for "established," with ICAO suggesting half-scale deflection for VOR/localizer, but practical interpretation, supported by protected airspace, often allows for safely beginning descent when the course is "alive."
Pilots must carefully manage descents during approaches, especially at step-down fixes, as riding the glideslope alone does not guarantee compliance with minimum crossing altitudes.
Modern GPS systems anticipate turns at fly-by fixes, keeping the CDI centered even before establishing on the straight-line segment of the next course; pilots should understand their avionics' behavior and wait until abeam the fix or the GPS sequences to initiate descent on the new leg.

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We’ve all heard “Maintain … until established.” We fly the route and make our descents without ATC yelling (usually). But are we actually doing it right?
Surprisingly, the FAA is not the place to look for a definition of “established.” The AIM and the Instrument Flying Handbook say nothing on the topic. Only in the Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8261-1A) does a definition pop up, and it just says that ICAO defines “established” as within half-scale indication on a localizer or VOR course. Useful, but there must be more.