Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

AIM

4/3/14

5−4−26

Arrival Procedures

If a route of flight directly to the initial approach

fix is desired, it should be so stated by the controller

with phraseology to include the words “direct . . . ,”

“proceed direct” or a similar phrase which the pilot

can interpret without question. When uncertain of the

clearance, immediately query ATC as to what route of

flight is desired.

The name of an instrument approach, as

published, is used to identify the approach, even

though a component of the approach aid, such as the

glideslope on an Instrument Landing System, is

inoperative or unreliable. The controller will use the

name of the approach as published, but must advise

the aircraft at the time an approach clearance is issued

that the inoperative or unreliable approach aid

component is unusable, except when the title of the

published approach procedures otherwise allows; for

example, ILS Rwy 05 or LOC Rwy 05.

The following applies to aircraft on radar

vectors and/or cleared “direct to” in conjunction with

an approach clearance:

Maintain the last altitude assigned by ATC

until the aircraft is established on a published seg-

ment of a transition route, or approach procedure

segment, or other published route, for which a lower

altitude is published on the chart. If already on an es-

tablished route, or approach or arrival segment, you

may descend to whatever minimum altitude is listed

for that route or segment.

Continue on the vector heading until inter-

cepting the next published ground track applicable to

the approach clearance.

Once reaching the final approach fix via the

published segments, the pilot may continue on ap-

proach to a landing.

If proceeding to an IAF with a published

course reversal (procedure turn or hold-in-lieu of PT

pattern), except when cleared for a straight in ap-

proach by ATC, the pilot must execute the procedure

turn/hold-in-lieu of PT, and complete the approach.

If cleared to an IAF/IF via a NoPT route, or

no procedure turn/hold-in-lieu of PT is published,

continue with the published approach.

In addition to the above, RNAV aircraft may

be issued a clearance direct to the IAF/IF at intercept

angles not greater than 90 degrees for both conven-

tional and RNAV instrument approaches. Controllers

may issue a heading or a course direct to a fix between

the IF and FAF at intercept angles not greater than

30 degrees for both conventional and RNAV instru-

ment approaches. In all cases, controllers will assign

altitudes that ensure obstacle clearance and will per-

mit a normal descent to the FAF. When clearing

aircraft direct to the IF, ATC will radar monitor the

aircraft until the IF and will advise the pilot to expect

clearance direct to the IF at least 5 miles from the fix.

ATC must issue a straight-in approach clearance

when clearing an aircraft direct to an IAF/IF with a

procedure turn or hold−in−lieu of a procedure turn,

and ATC does not want the aircraft to execute the

course reversal.

NOTE

−

Refer to 14 CFR 91.175 (i).

RNAV aircraft may be issued a clearance dir-

ect to the FAF that is also charted as an IAF, in which

case the pilot is expected to execute the depicted pro-

cedure turn or hold-in-lieu of procedure turn. ATC

will not issue a straight-in approach clearance. If the

pilot desires a straight-in approach, they must request

vectors to the final approach course outside of the

FAF or fly a published “NoPT” route. When visual

approaches are in use, ATC may clear an aircraft dir-

ect to the FAF.

NOTE

−

1. In anticipation of a clearance by ATC to any fix pub-
lished on an instrument approach procedure, pilots of
RNAV aircraft are advised to select an appropriate IAF or
feeder fix when loading an instrument approach procedure
into the RNAV system.

2. Selection of “Vectors-to-Final” or “Vectors” option for
an instrument approach may prevent approach fixes loc-
ated outside of the FAF from being loaded into an RNAV
system. Therefore, the selection of these options is discour-
aged due to increased workload for pilots to reprogram the
navigation system.

An RF leg is defined as a constant radius circular

path around a defined turn center that starts and ter-

minates at a fix. An RF leg may be published as part

of a procedure. Since not all aircraft have the capabil-

ity to fly these leg types, pilots are responsible for

knowing if they can conduct an RNAV approach with

an RF leg. Requirements for RF legs will be indicated

on the approach chart in the notes section or at the

applicable initial approach fix. Controllers will clear

RNAV-equipped aircraft for instrument approach

procedures containing RF legs: