Definition
A charted holding pattern used in place of a procedure turn to accomplish course reversal on an instrument approach. When depicted on the approach chart, the pilot must fly at least one circuit of the holding pattern to align with the inbound course before continuing the approach, unless cleared otherwise by ATC. The pattern is flown at the published altitude and within the protected airspace shown on the chart.
Plain English
Sometimes the approach chart shows a racetrack-shaped holding pattern instead of the usual procedure turn. You fly around that racetrack at least once to get yourself turned around and lined up with the final approach course, then continue inbound.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts where the course reversal is drawn as a holding pattern at or near a fix.
Derivation
"In lieu of" comes from French, meaning "in place of." The name simply says what it does: a holding pattern used in place of a procedure turn.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps the aircraft in protected airspace while reversing course and meeting the approach requirements when a procedure turn is not authorized or practical.
Grounding Statement
Picture arriving at a point from the wrong direction, flying one racetrack-shaped loop, and coming out lined up to continue inbound on the approach.
Intuition Check
Do not read “holding pattern” here as simply waiting in the air. In this term, the holding-pattern shape is being used as the published turn-around maneuver for the approach.
Example Sentence 1
The approach chart showed a holding pattern-in-lieu-of procedure turn at the initial approach fix, so we flew one circuit before turning inbound.
Example Sentence 2
We completed the holding pattern-in-lieu-of procedure turn and then continued inbound on the final approach course.