wrote:

I remember reading a lot of articles and opinions about procedure turns
being absolutely required except for the three conditions in FAR
91.175(j).

The newest online AIM, seems to have changed. Paragraph 5-4-9.a. now
reads:

The procedure turn or hold in lieu of procedure turn is a required
maneuver when it is necessary to perform a course reversal.

The "when it is necessary..." portion is new. Is this a change in FAA
policy, or did people misinterpret the regs in the past, or is my
memory bad?

Peter


The AIM is incorrect and will be changed next cycle. In the meantime
the following GENOT supercedes that AIM language:

Change to the Procedure Turn Text in the AIM

The August 4, 2005, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) revision to
paragraph 5−4−9a, Procedure Turn, has generated pilot comments that
indicate the text may be misleading and could possibly cause deviation
from the requirements of 14 CFR Part 91.175(j). This concern was brought
to the government/industry Aeronautical Charting Forum, Instrument
Procedures Group, as an issue to be resolved as soon as possible.
The group agreed that the paragraph as currently written could be
misinterpreted and cause misunderstanding on when a Procedure Turn is to
be flown. The consensus of the group was that a revision was necessary.
The text was revised as stated below and will be published in the August
2006, Change 1, to the AIM.

5−4−9. Procedure Turn
a. A procedure turn is the maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to
reverse direction to establish the aircraft inbound on an intermediate
or final approach course. The procedure turn or hold−in−lieu−of−PT is
a required maneuver when it is depicted on the approach chart. However,
the procedure turn or hold−in−lieu−of−PT is not permitted when the
symbol “No PT” is depicted on the initial segment being used,
when a RADAR VECTOR to the final approach course is provided, or when
conducting a timed approach from a holding fix. The altitude prescribed
for the procedure turn is a minimum altitude until the aircraft is
established on the inbound course. The maneuver must be completed within
the distance specified in the profile view.

Note

The pilot may elect to use the procedure turn or hold−in−lieu−of−PT when
it is not required by the procedure, but must first receive an amended
clearance from ATC. When ATC is Radar vectoring to the final approach
course or to the Intermediate Fix, ATC may specify in the approach
clearance “CLEARED STRAIGHT−IN (type) APPROACH” to ensure the procedure
turn or hold−in−lieu−of−PT is not to be flown. If the pilot is
uncertain whether the ATC clearance intends for a procedure turn to be
conducted or to allow for a straight−inapproach, the pilot shall
immediately request clarification from ATC (14 CFR Part 91.123).

The rest of the paragraph is unchanged.
(AFS−420 12/22/05)

4-GEN-35 (June 8, 2006 Published NOTAMS)