Definition
A course reversal maneuver in which the aircraft departs the fix on a specified outbound track at an angle (typically around 30 degrees) from the reciprocal of the inbound course, flies outbound for a set distance or time, then turns back to intercept the inbound course. The flight path traced over the ground resembles a teardrop shape.
Plain English
A way of turning the aircraft around to fly back toward a fix. Instead of making a sharp 180-degree turn, the pilot flies outbound at a slight angle, then turns back so the path looks like a teardrop on the chart.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach procedures when the aircraft must reverse direction or lose altitude before continuing inbound on the approach.
Derivation
Named for the shape the flight path makes on a chart -- it traces out the rounded, pointed outline of a teardrop.
Why Pilots Care
It provides a standardized method to reverse direction and establish the aircraft on the final approach course while remaining within protected airspace.
Intuition Check
Do not think of “teardrop” as just any rounded turn. In this context, it means a specific published course-reversal procedure with a specified outbound course and return to the inbound course.
Example Sentence 1
After crossing the fix, the pilot flew a teardrop procedure to reverse course and intercept the inbound track for the approach.
Example Sentence 2
Using the teardrop procedure allowed the aircraft to lose altitude and reverse heading efficiently before intercepting the glide slope.