What is the term for a turn executed during the initial approach between the end of the outbound track and the beginning of the intermediate or final approach track, where the tracks are not reciprocal?

• A. Procedure turn
• B. Base turn
• C. Race track
• D. Reversal procedure

Answer: (B)

This item tests your understanding of the base turn. In instrument approach patterns that use a racetrack or teardrop shape, you fly an outbound leg and then turn onto the base leg before proceeding to the final approach course. That specific turn—from the outbound track to the base leg—is called the base turn. The tracks aren’t reciprocal because you’re not reversing along the same line; you’re offset to line up with the final approach. If you were reversing directly along the outbound course, that would be a procedure turn or reversal procedure, not this base-to-base transition. So the correct term for that intermediate turn is base turn.