AIM 

4/20/23 

regulations constituting the type certification basis of the airplane, regardless of whether that speed for a particular airplane 

is 1.3 

V

SO,

 1.23 

V

SR,

 or some higher speed required for airplane controllability. This speed, at the maximum certificated 

landing weight, determines the lowest applicable approach category for all approaches regardless of actual landing weight. 

f. 

When operating on an unpublished route or while being radar vectored, the pilot, when an approach 

clearance is received, must, in addition to complying with the minimum altitudes for IFR operations (14 CFR 

Section 91.177), maintain the last assigned altitude unless a different altitude is assigned by ATC, or until the 

aircraft is established on a segment of a published route or IAP. After the aircraft is so established, published 

altitudes apply to descent within each succeeding route or approach segment unless a different altitude is assigned 

by ATC. Notwithstanding this pilot responsibility, for aircraft operating on unpublished routes or while being 

radar vectored, ATC will, except when conducting a radar approach, issue an IFR approach clearance only after 

the aircraft is established on a segment of a published route or IAP, or assign an altitude to maintain until the 

aircraft is established on a segment of a published route or instrument approach procedure. For this purpose, the 

procedure turn of a published IAP must not be considered a segment of that IAP until the aircraft reaches the 

initial fix or navigation facility upon which the procedure turn is predicated. 

EXAMPLE

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Cross Redding VOR at or above five thousand, cleared VOR runway three four approach. 

or 

Five miles from outer marker, turn right heading three three zero, maintain two thousand until established on the localizer, 

cleared ILS runway three six approach. 

NOTE

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1. 

The altitude assigned will assure IFR obstruction clearance from the point at which the approach clearance is issued until 

established on a segment of a published route or IAP. If uncertain of the meaning of the clearance, immediately request 

clarification from ATC. 

2. 

An aircraft is not established on an approach while below published approach altitudes. If the MVA/MIA allows, and ATC 

assigns an altitude below an IF or IAF altitude, the pilot will be issued an altitude to maintain until past a point that the 
aircraft is established on the approach. 

g. 

Several IAPs, using various navigation and approach aids may be authorized for an airport. ATC may advise 

that a particular approach procedure is being used, primarily to expedite traffic. If issued a clearance that specifies 

a particular approach procedure, notify ATC immediately if a different one is desired. In this event it may be 

necessary for ATC to withhold clearance for the different approach until such time as traffic conditions permit. 

However, a pilot involved in an emergency situation will be given priority. If the pilot is not familiar with the 

specific approach procedure, ATC should be advised and they will provide detailed information on the execution 

of the procedure. 

REFERENCE

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AIM, Para 5

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4

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4, Advance Information on Instrument Approach. 

h. 

The name of an instrument approach, as published, is used to identify the approach, even though a 

component of the approach aid, such as the glideslope on an Instrument Landing System, is inoperative or 

unreliable. The controller will use the name of the approach as published, but must advise the aircraft at the time 

an approach clearance is issued that the inoperative or unreliable approach aid component is unusable, except 

when the title of the published approach procedures otherwise allows, for example, ILS or LOC. 

i. 

Except when being radar vectored to the final approach course, when cleared for a specifically prescribed 

IAP; i.e., “cleared ILS runway one niner approach” or when “cleared approach” i.e., execution of any procedure 

prescribed for the airport, pilots must execute the entire procedure commencing at an IAF or an associated feeder 

route as described on the IAP chart unless an appropriate new or revised ATC clearance is received, or the IFR 

flight plan is canceled. 

j. 

Pilots planning flights to locations which are private airfields or which have instrument approach 

procedures based on private navigation aids should obtain approval from the owner. In addition, the pilot must 

be authorized by the FAA to fly special instrument approach procedures associated with private navigation aids 

(see paragraph 5

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4

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8). Owners of navigation aids that are not for public use may elect to turn off the signal for 

whatever reason they may have; for example, maintenance, energy conservation, etc. Air traffic controllers are 

Arrival Procedures

5

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4

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