Approaches With Course Reversal
Approaches with Course Reversales are required to safely and accurately maneuver the airplane in the event of attitude and heading indicators failure.
Introduction to Approaches With Course Reversal
- Approaches with course reversals are used to maneuver the airplane safely and accurately onto the final approach course.
WARNING:
All procedures are GENERALIZED.
Use the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) procedures for specific aircraft performance and limitations.
and/or current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).- Reinforce your understanding of Approaches With Course Reversal by completing the interactive scenario, comparing your performance with the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and reviewing the topic summary before moving on.
Approaches With Course Reversal Key Highlights
- Approaches with course reversal procedures allow aircraft to align properly with the final approach course during instrument approaches.
- Common course reversal procedures include procedure turns, holding pattern entries, teardrop reversals, and racetrack patterns.
- Course reversals help pilots establish correct approach alignment, altitude, and situational awareness before final approach.
- Pilots must comply with published approach procedures, altitudes, timing, and protected airspace limitations during course reversals.
- Wind correction techniques are important to maintain proper spacing and course alignment throughout reversal procedures.
- Procedure turn barb symbols on instrument approach charts indicate where course reversal maneuvers are authorized or expected.
- ATC (Air Traffic Control) radar vectors or specific clearances may eliminate the requirement to perform a published course reversal.
- Improper timing, excessive maneuvering, or inadequate situational awareness can result in course deviations or loss of protected airspace.
- Modern GPS (Global Positioning System) and RNAV (Area Navigation) systems can improve navigation accuracy and situational awareness during course reversal procedures.
- Understanding approaches with course reversal procedures improves instrument proficiency, navigation accuracy, and overall flight safety.
Approaches with Course Reversals Procedure
- Review the appropriate approach chart to determine the frequencies, courses, altitudes, and missed-approach procedures.
- Prior to reaching the Initial Approach Fix (IAF), tune and identify the NAVAID (Navigational Aid)
- Verify that the HI or HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) is aligned with the magnetic compass
- At the IAF, perform the "5 Ts:"
- Time: Take the time
- Turn: To track the course outbound
- Twist: Set the OBS (omni bearing selector) to the outbound course
- Throttle: Slow to approach speed.
- Talk: Make required reports
- When cleared, begin descent to initial approach altitude
- At or below VFE, set the flaps to the approach setting.
- Complete the Descent Flows/Checklists
- Set the OBS to the inbound course
- Complete the published course reversal within the published distance limit
- Intercept the final approach course inbound
- Fly the published altitude(s)
Approaches With Course Reversal Interactive Scenario
The Course Reversal the Clearance Did Not Require
Decide whether a reversal is authorized, required, or prohibited while managing entry, timing, altitude, and ATC expectations. Abbreviations used in this scenario: Course Deviation Indicator (CDI).
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Approaches with Course Reversals Airman Certification Standards
Approaches With Course Reversal Conclusion
- Consider actual versus realized performance when doing any performance calculations.
- Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust.
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
Approaches With Course Reversal References
- Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- Instrument Flying Handbook