Approaches: Circling

Question 1

What is the Circling Approach Area, what is it for?

Answer 1

1. An radius of defined distance extending out from the center of each end of all the RWYs at an airport.
2. You are required to stay within the described radius (from the end of the nearest RWY) for your category of aircraft when performing a Circling Approach

Question 2

How much obstacle clearance is provided by the Circling Approach Area at MDA?

Answer 2

300ft

Question 3

While in the Circling Approach area and maneuvering to land, what altitude should you be at?

Answer 3

Be at or ABOVE MDA.

Question 4

When is it appropriate to descend below MDA on a Circling Approach?

Answer 4

FAR 91.175

“When you are continuously in a position from which a decent to a landing on the intended RWY can be made at a normal rate of decent using normal maneuvers”

(provided you have also met the other requirements listed in 91.175(c)

Question 5

How will you know if Expanding Circling Approach Area criteria are allowed on a Jeppesen IAP?

Answer 5

There will be a Black Diamond with a ‘C’ in it
- The expanded circling minima for a category A aircraft are STILL 1.3 NM. They are unchanged compared to normal circling minima

Question 6

What is the Circling Approach Area distance for a Category A aircraft, and what does this mean?

Answer 6

Category A aircraft = 1.3 NM
- You must stay within 1.3 NM from any and ALL RWY surfaces.

Question 7

How will you know if an IAP is a Circling ONLY approach?

Answer 7

• It will not have a RWY in the title
• It will have a letter of the alphabet in the title (EX: VOR-A, or, RNAV (GPS)-D)