Final answer:
The primary difference between a Procedure Turn and a Procedural Track is that a Procedure Turn is a maneuver executed by an aircraft to reverse its course and establish it on the inbound track of the final approach segment, while a Procedural Track is a predetermined track or path that an aircraft follows during an instrument approach procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In aviation, a Procedure Turn and a Procedural Track are different concepts used in instrument approach procedures (IAPs).
A Procedure Turn is a maneuver executed by an aircraft to reverse its course and establish it on the inbound track of the final approach segment. The purpose is to allow the aircraft to lose altitude and establish a stable approach.
On the other hand, a Procedural Track is a predetermined track or path that an aircraft follows during an instrument approach procedure. It is a precise route identified by a series of waypoints to guide the aircraft safely towards the runway.
Here is an example of each:
Procedure Turn:
A common example is the 45-degree Procedure Turn. An aircraft would fly towards the initial approach fix (IAF) on a specific heading, then execute a 45-degree turn outbound for a certain distance or time. After completing the outbound leg, the aircraft would turn 180 degrees to intercept the inbound track and proceed towards the final approach fix (FAF).
Procedural Track:
An example of a Procedural Track would be the ILS (Instrument Landing System) approach to a runway. The aircraft would follow a specific track, as indicated by the published approach procedure chart, which includes waypoints such as the initial approach fix (IAF), intermediate fix (IF), and final approach fix (FAF). The aircraft would stay on this track, guided by various navigation aids, until reaching the runway threshold.