Procedure Turn

There are four situations where a procedure turn may not be executed without specific ATC clearance:

1. "NoPT" removes the requirement to fly a depicted procedure turn.
2. "Procedure Turn Not Authorized" means no procedure turn is permitted regardless of how the approach is started
3. when being radar vectored from ATC to the final approach course
4. when flying timed approaches from a holding fix (now obsolete with the use of GPS)

Approaches

When the approach procedure involves a procedure turn

• Pilots should begin the outbound turn immediately after passing the procedure turn fix.
• maximum speed of not greater than 200 knots (IAS)...to ensure containment within the obstruction clearance area.
• The procedure turn maneuver must be executed within the distance specified in the profile view.
• The normal procedure turn distance is 10 miles.
• This may be reduced to a minimum of 5 miles where only Category A or helicopter aircraft are to be operated
• or increased to as much as 15 miles to accommodate high performance aircraft.

—AIM 5-4-9(a)(3) Procedure Turn and Hold-in-lieu of Procedure Turn