Definition
The volume of airspace evaluated and protected by procedure designers to ensure obstacle clearance for an aircraft flying the published missed approach procedure from the missed approach point through the climb, turns, and level-off at the missed approach holding fix.
Plain English
It's the block of sky that has been checked to be clear of obstacles when you fly the published go-around for an instrument approach. As long as you fly the missed approach as published, you are guaranteed to stay clear of terrain and obstructions.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach discussions, especially when a helicopter GPS approach describes what space is protected if the pilot must stop the approach and climb away.
Derivation
"Protected" here means surveyed and guaranteed clear by the procedure designer — not defended or restricted in the security sense. The airspace has been mathematically evaluated for obstacles using TERPS criteria.
Why Pilots Care
It guarantees obstacle clearance during a missed approach, which is essential for safety when visibility is low and the pilot must climb immediately.
Grounding Statement
Picture the missed approach as a planned escape path in the sky, with obstacle clearance only inside that planned path.
Intuition Check
“Protected” does not mean every direction around the aircraft is safe. It means the published missed approach path has been evaluated for obstacle clearance when flown as specified.
Example Sentence 1
If the pilot turns before reaching the missed approach point, the aircraft may exit the missed approach protected airspace and lose guaranteed obstacle clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Chart notes specify the dimensions of missed approach protected airspace for this Copter GPS procedure.