AIM 5-4-27

Pilots operating in accordance with an IFR flight plan in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) may request ATC authorization for an overhead maneuver. An overhead maneuver is not an instrument approach procedure. Overhead maneuver patterns are developed at airports where aircraft have an operational need to conduct the maneuver. An aircraft conducting an overhead maneuver is considered to be VFR and the IFR flight plan is canceled when the aircraft reaches the initial point on the initial approach portion of the maneuver. (See FIG 5-4-34 .) The existence of a standard overhead maneuver pattern does not eliminate the possible requirement for an aircraft to conform to conventional rectangular patterns if an overhead maneuver cannot be approved. Aircraft operating to an airport without a functioning control tower must initiate cancellation of an IFR flight plan prior to executing the overhead maneuver. Cancellation of the IFR flight plan must be accomplished after crossing the landing threshold on the initial portion of the maneuver or after landing. Controllers may authorize an overhead maneuver and issue the following to arriving aircraft: Pattern altitude and direction of traffic. This information may be omitted if either is standard. PHRASEOLOGY-

PATTERN ALTITUDE (altitude). RIGHT TURNS.

Request for a report on initial approach. PHRASEOLOGY-

REPORT INITIAL.

“Break” information and a request for the pilot to report. The “Break Point” will be specified if nonstandard. Pilots may be requested to report “break” if required for traffic or other reasons. PHRASEOLOGY-

BREAK AT (specified point).

REPORT BREAK.

FIG 5-4-27 Overhead Maneuver

Previous | Top | Next AIM |

ATPUBS |

FAA |

Send your comments regarding this website.

Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures AIM

AIM by Chapter Number Chapter 0. General Information Chapter 1. Air Navigation Chapter 2. Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Chapter 3. Airspace Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures Chapter 7. Safety of Flight Chapter 8. Medical Facts for Pilots Chapter 9. Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Chapter 10. Helicopter Operations Chapter 11. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5

ATPUBS

AIM by Topic

General Information Explanation of Changes

Air Navigation Navigation Aids

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Area Navigation (RNAV)

Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Airport Lighting Aids

Air Navigation and Obstruction Lighting

Airport Marking Aids and Signs

Airspace General

Controlled Airspace

Class G Airspace

Special Use Airspace

Other Airspace Areas

Air Traffic Control Services Available to Pilots

Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques

Airport Operations

ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation

Surveillance Systems

Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR

Operational Policy/Procedures for the Gulf of America 50 NM Lateral Separation Initiative

Air Traffic Procedures Preflight

Departure Procedures

En Route Procedures

Arrival Procedures

Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities

National Security and Interception Procedures

Emergency Procedures General

Emergency Services Available to Pilots

Distress and Urgency Procedures

Two‐way Radio Communications Failure

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications

Safety of Flight Meteorology

Barometric Altimeter Errors and Setting Procedures

Cold Temperature Barometric Altimeter Errors, Setting Procedures and Cold Temperature Airports (CTA)

Wake Turbulence

Bird Hazards and Flight Over National Refuges, Parks, and Forests

Potential Flight Hazards

Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports

Medical Facts for Pilots Fitness for Flight

Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Types of Charts Available

Helicopter Operations Helicopter IFR Operations

Special Operations

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) General

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)

Large UAS (MGOW 55 Pounds or More)

Airspace Access for UAS

UAS Pilot Testing, Certification and Responsibilities

Advanced Air Mobility

UAS Operations on Airports

Other Information and Best Practices

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Air Traffic Procedures

Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities

Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures

Section 5. Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities