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Procedure Turn Required?

Asked by: 1706 views Instrument Rating

Assume a heading of 227 into uncontrolled airport with Inst. Approach VOR RWY 23 (KJBR actually). Plate shows Bold Line procedure turn. Am I required to turn to 047, go out, turn 002, then back to 182, then back to 227, UNLESS told straight -in by ATC or can I just go straight-in since I am already on the flight path?

1 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Mar 30, 2021

    “When” you need to fly a procedure turn is really a very simple question. AIM 5-4-9 says, that quite simply, it is “a required maneuver when depicted on the approach chart”, UNLESS one of the following conditions exist:

    – Cleared by ATC for a “straight-in” approach
    – When on a segment designated NoPT
    – When receiving vectors to final
    – When executing a timed approach from a holding fix

    So the answer to your question is, since none of these exceptions apply, YES you need to do the PT.

    There are always follow-on comments to a discussion like this that go basically like this – “but if I’m within 10 nm, on the 047 radial then it’s like I completed the PT already and I can safely go down to 1300”. I agree – you could go safely down to 1300 in this situation.

    But as far as the rules go, you’d have to get ATC to either give you vectors to final, OR issue you a “straight-in” clearance. Depending on radar coverage, they may or may not be willing to do this.

    Related – today while flying (IMC conditions in the area), I heard a pilot get sent direct to the HILPT on an RNAV approach. He was not on a NoPT route (but was coming from a direction where there was no real need to do it), so he asked the controller if they wanted/expected him to do the hold. They said “no”, and cleared him for the straight-in. That was great! It showed the pilot understood the situation and wanted to clarify with ATC, so they were both expecting the same thing. Just how it’s supposed to work.

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