tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post112767467832882353..comments2024-03-13T09:47:40.487+00:00Comments on Cockpit Conversation: Optional Procedure TurnsAviatrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-1127964932563578022005-09-29T03:35:00.000+00:002005-09-29T03:35:00.000+00:00In the U.S., we call it a procedure turn. Many pro...In the U.S., we call it a procedure turn. Many procedure turns are depicted as a barb (what you call a hockey stick), some are depicted as holds, some as tear drops. If the procedure turn is depicted as a barb, you can do whatever style turn you want, as long as you do it on the same side of the approach course as shown the instrument approach chart.<BR/><BR/>A commonly misunderstood concept is "procedure turn inbound" which is where you have completed the course reversal and are established on a segment of the approach. Many pilots think procedure turn inbound just means you've turned inbound.<BR/><BR/>To add to the interest (or to put some readers to sleep), US controllers never expect you to do a procedure turn when you are being vectored. To wit: "In the case of a radar vector to a final approach course or fix, a timed approach from a holding fix, or an approach for which the procedure specifies 'No PT,' no pilot may make a procedure turn unless cleared to do so by ATC."<BR/><BR/>And yes, there are still a fair number of places in the US where radar coverage is not provided.Avimentorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17508862704398151334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10000144.post-1127814490838727492005-09-27T09:48:00.000+00:002005-09-27T09:48:00.000+00:00(You really need pictures for this one.)As far as ...(You really need pictures for this one.)<BR/><BR/>As far as I know, Americans also say "procedure turn". While their radar coverage is pretty-much universal at altitude, it can be very spotty lower down, especially in hilly areas. I've been out of radar coverage even at 8,000+ feet flying IFR across both Maine and New Hampshire and had to fall back on no-radar reporting procedures, so I would very likely have had to fly a full procedure approach into an uncontrolled airport in those areas.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com