On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 22:55:54 GMT, Jose
wrote:

This still leaves open what to do if you are on a non-vector course
which is pretty close to straight in, at an appropriate altitude for
straight in (i.e. the same altitude you'd be at inbound from the PT),
but the controller doesn't clear you straight in, a PT is depicted, and
NoPT is not depicted. Presumably you do a U-turn, and then a procedure
turn. But that's what started this discussion. I forget - what was the
original AIM ambiguity that this fixes?

The ambiguity is still there.
The first sentence in the newly revised wording hints that a procedure
turn is not necessary unless "it is necessary to reverse
direction...".
However, the second sentence completely overrides the first sentence.
It states that the PT (or hold-in-lieu) is a required maneuver when it
is depicted on the approach chart.
The third sentence then goes on to say that the procedure turn is not
permitted in certain circumstances.
The note then goes on to say that the pilot may elect to use the
procedure turn when it is not permitted if she or he first receives an
amended clearance from ATC.

It'd be way clearer if the FAA just dropped the "when it is necessary
to reverse direction" wording completely, but this wording is also in
FAR 97.3(p).
It'd also be way clearer if the FAA just dropped the "is a required
maneuver when depicted on the approach plate" concept, but apparently
this is spelled out in some way by something referenced by FAR 97.20.

I'm not holding my breath.

TIm.





Jose

The FAA recognized that a mistake had been made in the recent revision
to the AIM concerning course reversals; that the wording was in conflict
with the 1994 legal interpretation on the issue.

At last week's FAA/Industry Aeronautical Charting Forum the following
language was adopted to replace the recent change in AIM language.
Because of the long lead time in amending the AIM, the following
language will soon appear in the NTAP (Notice to Airmen Publication)
portion of the FAA's web site:

"New: Revised October 18, 2005

5-4-9. Procedure Turn

A procedure turn is the maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to
reverse direction to establish the aircraft inbound on an intermediate
or final approach course. The procedure turn or hold-in-lieu-of-PT is a
required maneuver when it is depicted on the approach chart. However,
the procedure turn or hold-in-lieu-of-PT is not permitted when the
symbol "No PT" is depicted on the initial segment being used, when a
RADAR VECTOR to the final approach course is provided, or when
conducting a timed approach from a holding fix. The altitude
prescribed for the procedure turn is a minimum altitude until the
aircraft is established on the inbound course. The maneuver must be
completed within the distance specified in the profile view.
Note
The pilot may elect to use the procedure turn or hold-in-lieu-of-PT when
it is not required by the procedure, but must first receive an amended
clearance from ATC. When ATC is Radar vectoring to the final approach
course or to the Intermediate Fix, ATC may specify in the approach
clearance “CLEARED STRAIGHT-IN (type) APPROACH” to insure the procedure
turn or hold-in-lieu-of-PT is not to be flown. If the pilot is
uncertain whether the ATC clearance intends for a procedure turn to be
conducted or to allow for a straight-in approach, the pilot shall
immediately request clarification from ATC (14 CFR Part 91.123). "