Air Force Procedure Turn?

[rickyrhodesii]

The following refers to the WDG VOR RWY35 and the procedure turn.

Hopefully the two files I attached will help illustrate my question.

I've consulted the Instrument Flying Handbook and the Instrument Procedure Handbook, but they haven't helped me out to much. So, I'm calling on JC to help out!

What I'm trying to figure out is what "method" of procedure turn that is authorized...the 45° procedure turn (Standard Procedure Turn), the racetrack pattern, the teardrop procedure turn, or the 80°/260° course reversal. What authorizes this? FAR/AIM?

Now the route in blue is what I expect the procedure turn to look like. What is the route in green depicting? The Racetrack pattern? Should the pilot inform ATC which method they will use?

Now you may be wondering why I titled this "Air Force Procedure Turn". From what I've seen, AF pilots are the only one's I've seen not performing the Standard Procedure Turn.

Thanks for any input!

 

[MDPilot]

In actuality, ATC shouldn't really care what method you use to perform the procedure turn, as long as you remain within protected airspace. Any of the methods described will do that. The reason the AF teaches several different methods, is that under ICAO procedures, some countries specify which one to use on an individual approach.

 

[mtsu_av8er]

From what I'm seeing, the one in green appears to be vectors to final . . . .

EDITED: It appears that the green IS the racetrack. Got it . . . Same answer, though.

With regards to the procedure turn - you can do a 45 degree PT, an 80/260, a 90/270, whatever you like! I do 90/270's quite often. If it's a DME approach, then it keeps me from having to use that doggone clock - and anything to stay away from the stopwatch is a good thing!!

When you say "racetrack pattern", I believe that you're referring to a "holding pattern in lieu of a preocedure turn". If one is charted for an approach, then it's what you do (assuming that you need to do a procedure turn).

What authorizes this? FAR/AIM?

The AIM! Chapter 5-4-9, a-1:

On U.S. Government charts, a barbed arrow indicates the direction or side of the outbound course on which the procedure turn is made. Headings are provided for course reversal using the 45 degree type procedure turn. However, the point at which the turn may be commenced and the type and rate of turn is left to the discretion of the pilot. Some of the options are the 45 degree procedure turn, the racetrack pattern, the tear-drop procedure turn, or the 80 degree/260 degree course reversal. Some procedure turns are specified by procedural track. These turns must be flown exactly as depicted.

Did that answer your question?

 

[rickyrhodesii]

Thanks Lloyd, Question answered! But...more questioned have surfaced. Why are you given a choice of which method to use? Why would you choose one method over the other? Personal preference, difficulty of the maneuver?

 

[averyrm]

The basic idea is to minimize bank angle. IE do whatever entry will need the least ammount of maneuvering.

 

[viper548]

The approach chart shows an outbound heading of 132 and an inbound of 312. I'm sure ATC could care less as long as you stay in the protected airspace but if I were flying this approach at an interview, on a checkride, or with a fed in the jumpseat I wouldn't stray too far from what is printed on the chart.

 

[rickyrhodesii]

Okay Viper, with that being said, you bring up another question. Why would they (Jeppesen or NACO) even bother to publish the headings on the PT? Are these headings more of a suggestion rather than manditory?

 

[mtsu_av8er]

Why are you given a choice of which method to use? Why would you choose one method over the other? Personal preference, difficulty of the maneuver?

Well, none of them are really that much more difficult than the others. Take the 90/270, for example. It's the one that I prefer to use. Why? Well, like I said before, no clock! Just turn 90 degrees from the outbound course, roll into a turn in the other direction for 270 degrees, and simple math says that I'll roll out right on the Final (assuming calm wind)!!!

So, the FAA publishes those headings just because they can't publish the headings for all different types! The 45 degree PT is just the most common. ATC really doesn't care at all.

. . .

if I were flying this approach at an interview, on a checkride, or with a fed in the jumpseat I wouldn't stray too far from what is printed on the chart.

I actually did one of these with a FED in the airplane! One of my FAA rides. He wanted me to "teach" him something new, so I had a little fun with it! I was kinda hoping that he'd say that it wasn't correct (I'm a rebel sometimes . . . ), but he commented later that he was glad that somebody besides him knew about that.

Anti-Climatic!