Course Reversal
What is course reversal?
A course reversal is a maneuver flown during an instrument approach when you need to turn the aircraft around to get established inbound on the intermediate or final approach course. The FAA depicts it in one of three ways on an instrument approach procedure (IAP): a 45°/180° procedure turn, a holding pattern in lieu of a procedure turn, or a teardrop procedure. Think of it as the published way to "U-turn" yourself onto the final approach course when you arrive at the fix heading the wrong direction.
Also known as: procedure turn, holding pattern in lieu of procedure turn, teardrop procedure, IAP (instrument approach procedure)
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