Overhead Approach Maneuver

AIM ¶ 5-4-27 — Overhead Approach Maneuver

AIM 5-4-27 explains the overhead approach maneuver: VMC request, IFR cancellation, pattern altitude, break point, and ATC phraseology for pilots.

In Plain English

The overhead approach maneuver (sometimes called "the overhead") is a tactical pattern entry commonly used by military and some civilian aircraft to expedite recovery at airports where there's an operational need.

Key points from AIM 5-4-27:

It is not an instrument approach procedure. You must be in VMC and on an IFR flight plan to request it from ATC.
The IFR flight plan is automatically canceled when the aircraft reaches the initial point on the initial approach portion of the maneuver (at a towered airport).
At an airport without a functioning control tower, the pilot must cancel IFR before executing the maneuver — after crossing the landing threshold on the initial or after landing.
ATC authorization isn't guaranteed; you may have to fly a conventional rectangular pattern instead.

ATC may issue:

Pattern altitude and direction of traffic (omitted if standard) — "PATTERN ALTITUDE (altitude). RIGHT TURNS."
A request to "REPORT INITIAL" on initial approach.
Break information — "BREAK AT (point). REPORT BREAK." The break point is specified only if nonstandard.

Why it matters: Knowing the overhead maneuver helps you understand mixed traffic environments and recognize the phraseology if you hear it on frequency.

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 5-4-27

5-4-27. 5-4-27. Overhead Approach Maneuver 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 5-4-34 Overhead Maneuver Previous | Top | Next AIM | ATPUBS | FAA | Send your comments regarding this website.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What weather conditions and flight plan are required to request an overhead maneuver?

Per AIM 5-4-27, the pilot must be operating on an IFR flight plan in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) and must request ATC authorization for the overhead maneuver.

Q2When is the IFR flight plan canceled during an overhead maneuver?

Per AIM 5-4-27, at a towered airport the IFR flight plan is canceled when the aircraft reaches the initial point on the initial approach portion of the maneuver. At a non-towered airport, the pilot must initiate cancellation prior to executing the maneuver, accomplished after crossing the landing threshold on the initial or after landing.

Q3Is the overhead maneuver an instrument approach procedure, and is ATC required to approve it?

Per AIM 5-4-27, the overhead maneuver is not an instrument approach procedure. ATC approval is not guaranteed — if it cannot be approved, the aircraft may be required to conform to a conventional rectangular traffic pattern.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5

¶ 5-4-1

STAR Procedures and Descend Via

¶ 5-4-10

Timed Approaches from Holding Fix

¶ 5-4-11

Radar Approaches

¶ 5-4-12

Radar Monitoring Instrument Approaches

¶ 5-4-13

Simultaneous Parallel Approaches

¶ 5-4-14