Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

1 Answers

What’s the speed limit in a procedure turn?

Asked by: 8299 views , , , ,
FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Instrument Rating

Just as the question asks, what is the speed limit in a procedure turn?  I've seen it as both 200 KIAS and 250 KIAS.  The sources that say 250 KIAS (from around 1996 when I started my IFR training) include the Gleim Instrument Pilot written test prep book, the Jeppesen Instrument/Commercial Manual, and the King Schools instrument rating written exam course [book & video].  However, as far as official government sources go, the only place I can find where a speed limit of 200 KIAS is specified is in the AIM, 5-4-9 a 3, and in FAA-H-8083-16A (Instrument Procedures Handbook) and FAA-H-8083-15B (Instrument Flying Handbook).  I can't find anything in the actual FARs. So, which is it?  200 KIAS or 250 KIAS?  (Or did it used to be 250 and it has since been reduced to 200?)  I'm revising one of my old study documents and I'm trying to get all the information and references correct, so if you can include the source for your answer that would be very helpful.

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Dauntless Aviation's GroundSchool series of apps are the smart pilot's choice for fast and effective FAA knowledge test prep.
Actual, up-to-date FAA questions Polished user experience
Best explanations in the business Free lifetime updates!
Private Pilot IFR Commercial Pilot CFI ATP Sport Pilot Sport Pilot Instructor Parachute Rigger Aviation Mechanic (A&P)
You can get the app now and be studying right away. Available for PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android.

1 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Nov 29, 2015

    Unless the airspace dictates a slower speed, a PT is predicated on a maximum speed of 250 Kts, 25 degree bank, and a 50 to 60 Kt wind. Below 10,000 MSL, the maximum IAS is 250 Kts. Below a class B shelf, the maximum IAS is 200 Kts. Both are established in 91.117. The AIM is not regulatory and uses the phraseology of:

    When the approach procedure involves a procedure turn, a maximum speed of not greater than 200 knots (IAS) should be observed from first overheading the course reversal IAF through the procedure turn maneuver to ensure containment within the obstruction clearance area.

    This is a recommendation and not a limit.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.