Definition
The minimum altitude, published on an instrument approach chart, at or above which the procedure turn must be flown. It provides obstacle clearance throughout the procedure turn maneuver and is maintained until the aircraft is established inbound on the final approach course.
Plain English
The lowest height the chart allows you to fly while doing the procedure turn. You stay at or above this height until you are heading back inbound on the final approach.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts and in instrument training when practicing the standard 45° procedure turn.
Derivation
Procedure comes from a Latin idea meaning “to go forward in an ordered way.” Altitude comes from Latin altus, meaning “high.” Together, the phrase points to the required height for a specific, ordered turn in an approach procedure.
Why Pilots Care
Flying at or above this altitude guarantees obstacle clearance and proper positioning for the final approach course.
Grounding Statement
Picture crossing the approach fix, turning outbound, and holding the charted height while you reverse course back toward the runway.
Intuition Check
Do not read procedure turn altitude as just a suggested height for a normal turn. In this context, it is the published altitude tied to obstacle clearance during the instrument procedure turn.
Example Sentence 1
After crossing the initial approach fix outbound, the pilot descended to the procedure turn altitude of 2,600 feet and began the 45° turn.
Example Sentence 2
Descending below the procedure turn altitude during the maneuver would violate the approach procedure and reduce terrain clearance.