Hey, Bill. Good question.
For RNAV approaches, you will typically be cleared direct a fix depicted on the approach plate. You will start the approach from that fix. That fix can be an initial approach fix (IAF), an intermediate fix (IF) or a navigational beacon (e.g., VOR). You will typically be given your distance from the fix, a clearance direct to the fix, an altitude crossing restriction and then the approach clearance.
You should expect to conduct the procedure turn unless:
- you are cleared direct a fix with a leg notated with "NoPT"; or,
- you are cleared "straight-in" XXX approach by the controller.
Typically, the controller will have you to complete the procedure turn because:
- your course intercept angle upon reaching the IAF or IF is greater than 90 degrees (this is required by the 7110.65W); or,
- you're really high and he's letting you use the procedure turn to descend.
If there is an IAF on the approach, you should expect to be cleared direct an IAF. If the controller is going to clear you direct an IF even though there is an IAF, he has to tell you which fix to expect at least 5 miles prior to you reaching that fix.
Using the RNAV RWY 19L approach as the example, I'll go over each scenario.
As noted above, you can be cleared direct LAS VOR, any initial approach fix (IAF) or intermediate fix (IF). You can start the approach at the LAS VOR specifically because of that solid line and arrow and instructions on how to reach HAMIG. You can also be vectored to final, but I'll leave that out for now.
I'll go over each scenario.
LAPIN or SUVIE"AAL119, 6 miles from [LAPIN or SUVIE], cleared direct [LAPIN or SUVIE], cross [LAPIN or SUVIE] at or above 7,000. Cleared RNAV runway 19L approach."
HAMIGYou: "Vegas Approach, AAL119, 12,000 with information G, request RNAV runway 19L approach"
ATC: "AAL119, Vegas approach, expect RNAV runway 19L approach, expect direct HAMIG" (Since HAMIG is both an IAF and IF, you should be prepared to go direct without being told. But, I personally would let the pilot know.)
You: "Expecting direct HAMIG, AAL119."
ATC: "AAL119, 7 miles from HAMIG, cleared direct HAMIG, cross HAMIG at or above 5,300, cleared straight-in RNAV runway 19L approach."
You: "Cleared direct HAMIG, cross HAMIG at or above 5,300, cleared straight-in RNAV runway 19L approach."
Note: HAMIG is on the procedure turn and the "NoPT" notation is absent on that leg. You must then complete the PT. But, in this example, the controller cleared you "straight-in" because he does not want you to complete the procedure turn. If he does not clear you straight-in, he expects you to complete the procedure turn.
LAS VOR"N172SP, 8 miles from Las Vegas VOR, cleared direct Las Vegas VOR, cross Las Vegas VOR at or above 6,300, cleared RNAV runway 19L approach.
Note: In this case, you must complete the procedure turn because:
- the "NoPT" notation is absent on that leg; and,
- the controller did not (and cannot) clear you "straight-in" because your course intercept angle at HAMIG is greater than 90 degrees
When there's a procedure turn and you're unsure of whether or not to use it, it's always good to ask. It's better to ask than to do something the controller isn't expecting.
