pointSixtyFive

SEGMENTS OF AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE

Pilot/Controller Glossary with JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

An instrument approach procedure may have as many as four separate segments depending on how the approach procedure is structured.

  1. Initial Approach- 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.
  1. Intermediate Approach- The segment between the intermediate fix or point and the final approach fix.
  1. Final Approach- The segment between the final approach fix or point and the runway, airport, or missed approach point.
  1. Missed Approach- The segment between the missed approach point or the point of arrival at decision height and the missed approach fix at the prescribed altitude.

See INITIAL APPROACH SEGMENT ICAO; INTERMEDIATE APPROACH SEGMENT ICAO; FINAL APPROACH SEGMENT ICAO; MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE ICAO.

Refer to 14 CFR part 97.

In the 7110.65

Used in one paragraph of JO 7110.65BB.

  1. 7-4-1Visual Approach