FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)IFR Procedures and ChartsMedium
An RNAV (GPS) approach chart depicts a feeder route from an en route fix to the Initial Approach Fix (IAF), with 'NoPT' annotated along that route. What does this annotation instruct the pilot to do upon reaching the IAF?
- AHold at the IAF for two turns before proceeding inbound on the final approach course
- BProceed directly on the final approach course without executing a course reversal
- CPerform a full procedure turn regardless of the annotation to ensure proper course alignment
- DContact ATC for clarification since 'NoPT' indicates the procedure turn requirement is undetermined
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Proceed directly on the final approach course without executing a course reversal
'NoPT' indicates that no procedure turn (or course reversal) is required or authorized when arriving via that particular route or transition. The pilot proceeds directly to the final approach course from the IAF without maneuvering for a course reversal.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Holding for two turns is not implied by NoPT; this describes a standard holding pattern, not a course reversal substitute.
- C. Performing a procedure turn when NoPT is charted is contrary to the depicted procedure and could conflict with other traffic.
- D. NoPT is an unambiguous instruction, not a prompt to seek clarification.
NoPT (No Procedure Turn)
A charted annotation on an instrument approach indicating that a course reversal is not required or authorized when arriving via a specific route or transition.
- Commonly charted on feeder routes or hold-in-lieu-of-PT arrivals
- Course reversal is skipped, proceeding directly on final approach course
- Executing a procedure turn when NoPT is charted may create traffic conflicts
- Different transitions to the same IAF may have different NoPT status
Memory trick: NoPT means No Pointless Turning — go straight in.