Definition
A helicopter instrument approach design and performance requirement that the aircraft remain within a defined area of protected airspace throughout a procedure turn or course-reversal maneuver. The radius of the turn must be small enough, at the approach speed flown, to keep the helicopter inside the obstacle-clearance boundaries published for that segment.
Plain English
Staying inside the protected airspace while making a turn during an instrument approach. If you fly too fast, your turn gets wider and you can drift outside the safe area.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument procedure and helicopter flight manual limitation discussions, especially where speed or turn limits affect obstacle clearance.
Derivation
From contain, Latin continere meaning to hold together or keep within. The turn must be held within the boundaries of the protected airspace.
Why Pilots Care
Failing turn containment can take the helicopter outside protected airspace, raising the risk of hitting terrain or obstacles when flying in clouds or low visibility.
Grounding Statement
A faster or wider turn needs more room, so the helicopter must be flown within the limits used when the procedure was designed.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “making the turn.” In this FAA context, turn containment means staying inside the protected area during the turn.
Example Sentence 1
The flight manual limits approach speed to 90 knots to ensure turn containment during the procedure turn.
Example Sentence 2
A higher turn rate would have violated turn containment during the missed approach in IMC.