Definition

As defined by the Pilot/Controller Glossary in the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Aeronautical Information Manual, a breakout is a technique to direct aircraft out of the approach stream. In the context of simultaneous (independent) parallel operations, a breakout is used to direct threatened aircraft away from a deviating aircraft.

Description

Simultaneous Precision Runway Monitoring (PRM) ILS approaches are conducted to runways with centerline spacing of less than 4300 feet but at least 3000 feet. These approaches require specific pilot training and the use of a secondary tower communication frequency, in case an urgent call on the primary frequency is blocked. If an aircraft on a PRM approach gets far enough out of position and creates a threat to another aircraft, Air Traffic Control (ATC) will issue a breakout instruction to prevent a loss of separation.

A breakout can involve a climb or a descent. ATC will use the phraseology: "(aircraft call sign) TURN (left/right) IMMEDIATELY, HEADING (degrees) CLIMB/DESCEND/MAINTAIN (altitude). Breakout maneuvers are to be hand flown.