Definition
Instrument approach procedures that are independent of an en route navigation structure, where the holding pattern (when used) serves as the course reversal or arrival point rather than being part of a feeder route or airway segment. The holding pattern in a standalone procedure is depicted on the approach chart itself and is flown as part of the approach.
Plain English
An instrument approach that does not rely on connecting airways or feeder routes to get the aircraft established. Any holding involved is shown on the approach chart and is flown as part of the approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure discussions when distinguishing a holding pattern that stands on its own from a hold that is built into another procedure.
Derivation
Standalone' means able to operate on its own, without being attached to something else. In this context, the approach 'stands alone' from the en route system — it does not depend on an airway or feeder route to deliver the aircraft to the approach.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots flexibility to hold or delay without being tied to a specific arrival route or approach.
Intuition Check
Do not read “standalone” as meaning informal or optional. In this context, it means the procedure is self-contained and published for use as its own procedure.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot briefed the standalone procedure into the airport and noted that the holding pattern on the chart would be used for course reversal.
Example Sentence 2
Because the holding pattern was published as standalone, the crew could enter it directly without first flying an arrival segment.