When a teardrop procedure turn is depicted and a course  reversal is required, unless otherwise authorized by ATC,  this type of procedure must be executed.  [Figure 1-15]  The  teardrop procedure consists of departure from an IAF on the  published outbound course followed by a turn toward and  intercepting the inbound course at or prior to the intermediate  fix or point. Its purpose is to permit an aircraft to reverse  direction and lose considerable altitude within reasonably  limited airspace. Where no fix is available to mark the  beginning of the intermediate segment, it shall be assumed  to commence at a point 10 NM prior to the FAF. When the  facility is located on the airport, an aircraft is considered  to be on final approach upon completion of the penetration  turn. However, the final approach segment begins on the final  approach course 10 NM from the facility. altitude for crossing the FAF when the GS is inoperative  or not used. Precision approach profiles also depict the GS  angle of descent, threshold crossing height (TCH), and GS  altitude at the outer marker (OM). For nonprecision approaches, a final descent is initiated and  the final segment begins at either the FAF or the final approach  point (FAP). The FAF is identified by use of the Maltese cross  symbol in the profile view ( ).  [Figure 1-11]  When no FAF  is depicted, the final approach point is the point at which the  aircraft is established inbound on the final approach course.  [Figure 1-16]  Stepdown fixes in nonprecision procedures are provided  between the FAF and the airport for authorizing a lower  minimum descent altitude (MDA) after passing an  obstruction. Stepdown fixes can be identified by NAVAID,  NAVAID fix, waypoint, or radar and are depicted by a hash  marked line ( ). Normally, there is only one stepdown fix  between the FAF and the MAP, but there can be several.  If the stepdown fix cannot be identified for any reason, the  minimum altitude at the stepdown fix becomes the MDA for  the approach. However, circling minimums apply if they are  higher than the stepdown fix minimum altitude, and a circling  approach is required. The visual descent point (VDP) is a defined point on the  final approach course of a nonprecision straight-in approach  procedure. A normal descent from the MDA to the runway  touchdown point may be commenced, provided visual  reference is established. The VDP is identified on the profile  view of the approach chart by the symbol “V.”  [Figure 1-12] The MAP varies depending upon the approach flown. For  the ILS, the MAP is at the decision altitude/decision height  (DA/DH). For nonprecision procedures, the pilot determines  the MAP by timing from FAF when the approach aid is away  from the airport, by a fix or NAVAID when the navigation  facility is located on the field, or by waypoints as defined  by GPS or VOR/DME RNAV. The pilot may execute the  MAP early, but pilots should, unless otherwise cleared by  ATC, fly the IAP as specified on the approach plate to the  MAP at or above the MDA or DA/DH before executing a  turning maneuver. A complete description of the MAP appears in the pilot  briefing section.  [Figure 1-16]  Icons indicating what is to  be accomplished at the MAP are located in the profile view.  When initiating a missed approach, the pilot is directed to  climb straight ahead (e.g., “Climb to 2,000”) or commence  a turning climb to a specified altitude (e.g., “Climbing right  turn to 2,000.”). In some cases, the procedure directs the pilot  to climb straight ahead to an initial altitude, then turn or enter  The profile view is a depiction of the procedure from the side  and illustrates the vertical approach path altitudes, headings,  distances, and fixes. [Figures 1-10, 1-11,  and 1-12]  The  view includes the minimum altitude and the maximum  distance for the procedure turn, altitudes over prescribed  fixes, distances between fixes, and the missed approach  procedure. The profile view aids in the pilot’s interpretation  of the IAP. The profile view is not drawn to scale.  [Figures 1-10, 1-11, 1-12,  and  1-16] The precision approach glideslope (GS) intercept altitude  is a minimum altitude for GS interception after completion  of the procedure turn, illustrated by an altitude number and  “zigzag” line. It applies to precision approaches, and except  where otherwise prescribed, also applies as a minimum  The Profile View Figure 1-15.  Teardrop procedure. 1-21 Teardrop Procedure