Federal Aviation Regulations for the GA pilot.

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Part 97 – Standard Instrument Procedures

Subpart A - General
§ 95.8001 ainous Area.
§ 97.1 Applicability.
§ 97.3 Symbols and terms used in procedures.
§ 97.5 Bearings, courses, tracks, headings, radials, miles.
Subpart B - Procedures
Subpart C - TERPS Procedures
§ 97.20  General.
Revision History:
Amdt. 97-1336, 72 FR 31661, June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007.
Amdt. 97-1335, 70 FR 23001, May 3, 2005, effective June 2, 2005.
Amdt. 97-1334, 68 FR 16943, April 8, 2003, effective May 15, 2003.
Amdt. 97-1333, 67 FR 70812, November 26, 2002, effective December 26, 2002.
Amdt. 97-1703, 60 FR 67254, Dec. 28, 1995.
Amdt. 97-1133, 44 FR 15659, Mar. 15, 1979.
Amdt. 97-969, 35 FR 5609, Apr. 7, 1970.
Amdt. 97-803, 37 FR 6287, Mar. 28, 1972.
Amdt. 97-561, 32 FR 13911, Oct. 6, 1967.
Original: Docket No. 1580, 28 FR 6719, June 29, 1963.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40106, 40113, 40114, 40120, 44502, 44514, 44701, 44719, and 44721-44722.
Source: Docket No. 1580, 28 FR 6719, June 29, 1963, unless otherwise noted.
Cross Reference: For changes in isogonic values based on the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey for Epoch 1965, which minutely affect the Standard Instrument Approach Procedures of this part, see 30 FR 7598, June 11, 1965.
Subpart A - General
Supplemental Information
{Note: The following information appears in 58 FR 6709 (and elsewhere), as supplementary information to an amendment to part 97 - Ed.}
{Beginning of Supplemental Information}
This amendment to part 97 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 97) establishes, amends, suspends, or revokes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). The complete regulatory description on each SIAP is contained in the appropriate FAA Form 8260 and the National Flight Data Center (FDC)/Permanent (P) Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) which are incorporated by reference in the amendment under 5 U.S.C. 552(a), 1 CFR part 51, and § 97.20 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). Materials incorporated by reference are available for examination or purchase as stated above.
The large number of SIAPs, their complex nature, and the need for a special format make their verbatim publication in the Federal Register expensive and impractical. Further, airmen do not use the regulatory text of the SIAPs, but refer to their graphic depiction on charts printed by publishers of aeronautical materials. Thus, the advantages of incorporation by reference are realized and publication of the complete description of each SIAP contained in FAA form documents is unnecessary. The provisions of this amendment state the affected CFR (and FAR) sections, with the types and effective dates of the SIAPs. This amendment also identifies the airport, its location, the procedure identification and the amendment number.
{End of Supplemental Information}
§ 97.1 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes standard instrument approach procedures to civil airports in the United States and the weather minimums that apply to landings under IFR at those airports.
(b) This part also prescribes obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) for certain civil airports in the United States and the weather minimums that apply to takeoffs under IFR at civil airports in the United States.
[Amdt. 97-1336, 72 FR 31661, June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007]
§ 97.3 Symbols and terms used in procedures.
As used in the standard instrument procedures prescribed in this part--
Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on a speed of VREF, if specified, or if VREF is not specified, 1.3 Vso at the maximum certificated landing weight. VREF, Vso, and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the certification authority of the country of registry. The categories are as follows--
(1) Category A: Speed less than 91 knots.
(2) Category B: Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots.
(3) Category C: Speed 121 knots or more but less than 141 knots.
(4) Category D: Speed 141 knots or more but less than 166 knots.
(5) Category E: Speed 166 knots or more.
Approach procedure segments for which altitudes (minimum altitudes, unless otherwise specified) and paths are prescribed in procedures, are as follows--
(1) Initial approach is the segment between the initial approach fix and the intermediate fix or the point where the aircraft is established on the intermediate course or final approach course.
(2) Initial approach altitude is the altitude (or altitudes, in high altitude procedure) prescribed for the initial approach segment of an instrument approach.
(3) Intermediate approach is the segment between the intermediate fix or point and the final approach fix.
(4) Final approach is the segment between the final approach fix or point and the runway, airport, or missed approach point.
(5) Missed approach is the segment between the missed approach point, or point of arrival at decision altitude or decision height (DA/DH), and the missed approach fix at the prescribed altitude.
Ceiling means the minimum ceiling, expressed in feet above the airport elevation, required for takeoff or required for designating an airport as an alternate airport.
Copter procedures means helicopter procedures, with applicable minimums as prescribed in § 97.35. Helicopters may also use other procedures prescribed in subpart C of this part and may use the Category A minimum descent altitude (MDA), or decision altitude or decision height (DA/DH). For other than "copter-only" approaches, the required visibility minimum for Category I approaches may be reduced to one-half the published visibility minimum for Category A aircraft, but in no case may it be reduced to less than one-quarter mile prevailing visibility, or, if reported, 1,200 feet RVR. Reduction of visibility minima on Category II instrument approach procedures is prohibited.
FAF means final approach fix.
HAA means height above airport and is expressed in feet.
HAL means height above landing and is the height of the DA/MDA above a designated helicopter landing area elevation used for helicopter instrument approach procedures and is expressed in feet.
HAS means height above the surface and is the height of the DA/MDA above the highest terrain/surface within a 5,200-foot radius of the missed approach point used in helicopter instrument approach procedures and is expressed in feet above ground level (AGL).
HAT means height above touchdown.
HCH means helipoint crossing height and is the computed height of the vertical guidance path above the helipoint elevation at the helipoint expressed in feet.
Helipoint means the aiming point for the final approach course. It is normally the center point of the touchdown and lift-off area (TLOF).
Hold in lieu of PT means a holding pattern established under applicable FAA criteria, and used in lieu of a procedure turn to execute a course reversal.
MAP means missed approach point.
More than 65 knots means an aircraft that has a stalling speed of more than 65 knots (as established in an approved flight manual) at maximum certificated landing weight with full flaps, landing gear extended, and power off.
MSA means minimum safe altitude, expressed in feet above mean sea level, depicted on an approach chart that provides at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance for emergency use within a certain distance from the specified navigation facility or fix.
NA means not authorized.
NOPT means no procedure turn required. Altitude prescribed applies only if procedure turn is not executed.
Procedure turn means the maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish the aircraft on an intermediate or final approach course. The outbound course, direction of turn, distance within which the turn must be completed, and minimum altitude are specified in the procedure. However, the point at which the turn may be begun, and the type and rate of turn, is left to the discretion of the pilot.
RA means radio altimeter setting height.
RVV means runway visibility value.
SIAP means standard instrument approach procedure.
65 knots or less means an aircraft that has a stalling speed of 65 knots or less (as established in an approved flight manual) at maximum certificated landing weight with full flaps, landing gear extended, and power off.
T means nonstandard takeoff minimums or specified departure routes/procedures or both.
TDZ means touchdown zone.
Visibility minimum means the minimum visibility specified for approach, landing, or takeoff, expressed in statute miles, or in feet where RVR is reported.
{Beginning of old text revised June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007}
As used in the standard terminal instrument procedures prescribed in this part -
            (a) "A" means alternate airport weather minimum.
            (b) Aircraft approach category means a grouping of aircraft based on a speed of VREF, if specified, or if VREF is not specified, 1.3 VS0 at the maximum certificated landing weight. VREF, VS0, and the maximum certificated landing weight are those values as established for the aircraft by the certification authority of the country of registry. The categories are as follows:
                        (1) Category A: Speed less than 91 knots.
                        (2) Category B: Speed 91 knots or more but less than 121 knots.
                        (3) Category C: Speed 121 knots or more but less than 141 knots.
                        (4) Category D: Speed 141 knots or more but less than 166 knots.
                        (5) Category E: Speed 166 knots or more.
            (c) Approach procedure segments for which altitudes (all altitudes prescribed are minimum altitudes unless otherwise specified) or courses, or both, are prescribed in procedures, are as follows:
                        (1) "Initial approach" is the segment between the initial approach fix and the intermediate fix or the point where the aircraft is established on the intermediate course or final approach course.
                        (2) "Initial approach altitude" means the altitude (or altitudes, in High Altitude Procedures) prescribed for the initial approach segment of an instrument approach.
                        (3) "Intermediate approach" is the segment between the intermediate fix or point and the final approach fix.
                        (4) "Final approach" is the segment between the final approach fix or point and the runway, airport, or missed approach point.
                        (5) "Missed approach" is the segment between the missed approach point, or point of arrival at decision height, and the missed approach fix at the prescribed altitude.
            (d) "C" means circling landing minimum, a statement of ceiling and visibility values, or minimum descent altitude and visibility, required for the circle-to-land maneuver.
                        (d-1) "Copter procedures" means helicopter procedures, with applicable minimums as prescribed in § 97.35 {there is no § 97.35 - Ed.} of this part. Helicopters may also use other procedures prescribed in Subpart C of this part and may use the Category A minimum descent altitude (MDA) or decision height (DH). The required visibility minimum may be reduced to one-half the published visibility minimum for Category A aircraft, but in no case may it be reduced to less than one-quarter mile or 1,200 feet RVR.
            (e) "Ceiling minimum" means the minimum ceiling, expressed in feet above the surface of the airport, required for takeoff or required for designating an airport as an alternate airport.
            (f) "D" means day.
            (g) "FAF" means final approach fix.
            (h) "HAA" means height above airport.
                        (h-1) "HAL" means height above a designated helicopter landing area used for helicopter instrument approach procedures.
            (i) "HAT" means height above touchdown.
            (j) "MAP" means missed approach point.
            (k) "More than 65 knots" means an aircraft that has a stalling speed of more than 65 knots (as established in an approved flight manual) at maximum certificated landing weight with full flaps, landing gear extended, and power off.
            (l) "MSA" means minimum safe altitude, an emergency altitude expressed in feet above mean sea level, which provides 1,000 feet clearance over all obstructions in that sector within 25 miles of the facility on which the procedure is based (LOM in ILS procedures).
            (m) "N" means night.
            (n) "NA" means not authorized.
            (o) "NOPT" means no procedure turn required (altitude prescribed applies only if procedure turn is not executed).
                        (o-1) "Point in space approach" means a helicopter instrument approach procedure to a missed approach point that is more than 2,600 feet from an associated helicopter landing area.
            (p) "Procedure turn" means the maneuver prescribed when it is necessary to reverse direction to establish the aircraft on an intermediate or final approach course. The outbound course, direction of turn, distance within which the turn must be completed, and minimum altitude are specified in the procedure. However, the point at which the turn may be commenced, and the type and rate of turn, is left to the discretion of the pilot.
            (q) "RA" means radio altimeter setting height.
            (r) "RVV" means runway visibility value.
            (s) "S" means straight-in landing minimum, a statement of ceiling and visibility, minimum descent altitude and visibility, or decision height and visibility, required for a straight-in landing on a specified runway. The number appearing with the "S" indicates the runway to which the minimum applies. If a straight-in minimum is not prescribed in the procedure, the circling minimum specified applies to a straight-in landing.
            (t) "Shuttle" means a shuttle, or racetrack-type, pattern with two minute legs prescribed in lieu of a procedure turn.
            (u) "65 knots or less" means an aircraft that has a stalling speed of 65 knots or less (as established in an approved flight manual) at maximum certificated landing weight with full flaps, landing gear extended, and power off.
            (v) "T" means takeoff minimum.
            (w) "TDZ" means touchdown zone.
            (x) "Visibility minimum" means the minimum visibility specified for approach, or landing, or takeoff, expressed in statute miles, or in feet where RVR is reported.

            (Secs. 307(c), 313(a), 601, Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1348(c), 1354(a), 1421); Section 6(c), Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 1655(c)))
[Amdt. 97-561, 32 FR 13911, Oct. 6, 1967, as amended by Amdt. 97-803, 37 FR 6287, Mar. 28, 1972; Amdt. 97-1133, 44 FR 15659, Mar. 15, 1979; Amdt. 97-1333, 67 FR 70812, November 26, 2002, effective December 26, 2002; Amdt. 97-1336, 72 FR 31661, June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007]
§ 97.5 Bearings, courses, tracks, headings, radials, miles.
(a) All bearings, courses, tracks, headings, and radials in this part are magnetic, unless otherwise designated.
(b) RVR values are stated in feet. Other visibility values are stated in statute miles. All other mileages are stated in nautical miles.
[Amdt. 97-561, 32 FR 13912, Oct. 6, 1967; Amdt. 97-1336, 72 FR 31661, June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007]
Subpart B - Procedures
Editorial Note: The procedures set forth in this subpart were formerly carried as sections 609.100 through 609.500 of this title and were transferred to Part 97 as §§ 97.11 through 97.19, respectively, but are not carried in the Code of Federal Regulations. For Federal Register citations affecting these procedures, see the List of CFR Sections Affected in the Finding Aids section of this volume.
Subpart C - TERPS Procedures
Source: Docket No. 8130, Amdt. 97-561, 32 FR 13912, Oct. 6, 1967, unless otherwise noted.
Editorial Note: The procedures for sections 97.21 through 97.35, respectively, are not carried in the Code of Federal Regulations. For Federal Register citations affecting these procedures, see the List of CFR Sections Affected in the Finding Aids section of this volume.
§ 97.20  General.
(a) This subpart prescribes standard instrument approach procedures and takeoff minimums and obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) based on the criteria contained in FAA Order 8260.3, U.S. Standard for Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPs), and other related Orders in the 8260 series that also address instrument procedure design criteria.
(b) Standard instrument approach procedures and associated supporting data adopted by the FAA are documented on FAA Forms 8260-3, 8260-4, 8260-5. Takeoff minimums and obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) are documented on FAA Form 8260-15A. These forms are incorporated by reference. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The standard instrument approach procedures and takeoff minimums and obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) are available for examination at the FAA's Rules Docket (AGC-200) and at the National Flight Data Center, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20590, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
(c) Standard instrument approach procedures and takeoff minimums and obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) are depicted on aeronautical charts published by the FAA National Aeronautical Charting Office. These charts are available for purchase from the FAA's National Aeronautical Charting Office, Distribution Division, 6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 400, Greenbelt, MD 20770.
[Amdt. 97-969, 35 FR 5609, Apr. 7, 1970; Amdt. 97-1334, 68 FR 16943, April 8, 2003, effective May 15, 2003; Amdt. 97-1335, 70 FR 23001, May 3, 2005, effective June 2, 2005; Amdt. 97-1336, 72 FR 31661, June 7, 2007, effective August 6, 2007]