Definition
The paragraph of Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR § 91.175 titled 'Limitation on procedure turns,' which prohibits a pilot from executing a procedure turn when receiving radar vectors to the final approach course, when conducting a timed approach from a holding fix, or when the approach procedure specifies 'No PT,' unless cleared to do so by ATC.
Plain English
A specific rule that says: if ATC is vectoring you to the final approach course, you must not fly the procedure turn shown on the chart. You go straight in, not around.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument approach discussions, especially when ATC gives vectors to intercept the final approach course.
Derivation
The '§' symbol means 'section' in legal citation. '91.175' is the section number within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (the FAA's rulebook for airmen and aircraft), and '(j)' is the lettered paragraph within that section. So the citation reads as 'Section 91.175, paragraph j.'
Why Pilots Care
It defines the legal point at which visual references must be acquired to continue the approach safely and remain in compliance.
Grounding Statement
If ATC has already set you up for the final approach path, § 91.175(j) tells you not to add your own course-reversal turn unless ATC approves it.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a procedure turn is always allowed just because it appears on an approach chart. Under § 91.175(j), radar vectors, timed approaches, and NoPT situations mean you skip it unless ATC clears it.
Example Sentence 1
Once ATC issued vectors to the final approach course, the pilot did not fly the charted procedure turn, in accordance with § 91.175(j).
Example Sentence 2
During the approach briefing the crew reviewed § 91.175(j) to confirm the visual reference requirements that would allow continuation below the decision altitude.