Definition
A specific flight path defined by an instrument approach procedure that the pilot must follow to reverse course and align with the final approach course. It typically consists of an outbound leg, a turn, and an inbound leg flown at published headings, distances, or times, and must be flown as charted because no maneuvering area is provided outside the depicted track.
Plain English
A fixed path drawn on the approach chart that you must fly exactly as shown to turn the airplane around and line up with the final approach. You don't get to choose how you turn -- the chart tells you the headings, distances, and timing.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts during course reversal procedures, especially when the chart shows a specific path for turning outbound and then inbound.
Derivation
Procedural' comes from 'procedure' -- a set, prescribed way of doing something. 'Track' means the path the aircraft follows over the ground. Together: a path that must be flown by the prescribed procedure, not improvised.
Why Pilots Care
Following the correct procedural track guarantees obstacle clearance and compliance with ATC and FAA requirements.
Grounding Statement
On the chart, the procedural track is the path the airplane is expected to follow over the ground.
Intuition Check
Do not read track as a physical rail or runway. Here, track means the aircraft’s path over the ground, and procedural means it is part of the published instrument procedure.
Example Sentence 1
The approach chart depicts a procedural track for the course reversal, so we'll fly the outbound and inbound legs exactly as published rather than executing a standard procedure turn.
Example Sentence 2
Deviating from the procedural track during an approach can result in loss of obstacle clearance protection.