Racetrack Procedure HELP
 

Hello guys, I'm new to this site, so I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this in.

I've recently started training towards my Instrument Rating and I've come across the "Racetrack Procedure".

This is an excerpt from PANS-OPS 8168:

"3.2.3.2 Entry into a racetrack procedure

Normally a racetrack procedure is used when aircraft arrive overhead the fix from various directions. In these cases, aircraft are expected to enter the procedure in a manner similar to that prescribed for a holding procedure entry with the following considerations:

a) offset entry from Sector 2 shall limit the time on the 30° offset track to 1 min 30 s, after which the pilot is expected to turn to a heading parallel to the outbound track for the remainder of the outbound time. If the outbound time is only 1 min, the time on the 30° offset track shall be 1 min also;

b) parallel entry shall not return directly to the facility without first intercepting the inbound track when proceeding to the final segment of the approach procedure; and

c) all manoeuvring shall be done in so far as possible on the manoeuvring side of the inbound track."

Question 1: If the outbound time is 3 minutes for example, does that mean in the case of an offset entry, the offset entry track has to be flown for 1 min 30 s and then 1 min 30 s on the outbound heading?

Question 2: Can you perform a parallel entry into the racetrack procedure, and as long as you've established on the final approach track early enough, you can continue straight to the FAP/FAF and go down on the procedure? or do you have to fly the whole racetrack pattern once after you've executed the appropriate entry before proceeding with the procedure?

Also, does this apply to the offset entry as well?

(In case I've made my question too complicated - Do you have to fly an Entry + a Racetrack pattern? or can you just do the entry and as long as you're established on the final approach track early enough you can continue straight into the final segment of the procedure?)

Q1: Yes
Q2: The entry procedure counts as a turn in the racetrack. I.e, reaching the fix, I'd initiate the entry AND descend to the racetrack minimum altitude until etablished inbd. No additional turns.

Answer to question 1 is 'yes'.

#2: The 3.2.3.2 paragraph is from the "Initial Approach Segment" chapter. Entry into the racetrack is considered the initial approach segment. Once you've reversed course and are now heading inbound to the Final Approach Fix, you're on the intermediate approach segment. Once you pass the FAF, you're on the final approach segment. So yes, as long as you remain within the procedure turn distance, you can descend down and commence the approach immediately.

If you are very high and need to do a shuttle descent, then entry into the racetrack would essentially be a hold entry until you were at a low enough altitude to commence the full procedure approach. Once you were low enough, then on your next outbound turn from the IAF/FAF you would be on the initial approach segment.

Edit: If you continue reading you'll get to "3.3.8 Shuttle":

"A shuttle is normally prescribed where the descent required between the end of initial approach and the beginning of final approach exceeds the values shown in Table I-4-3-1.
Note.— A shuttle is descent or climb conducted in a holding pattern."