The circling MDA and weather minima published on IAPs are those for the runway to which the instrument approach was flown, and apply to non-radar non-precision approaches. Controllers may specific guidance for the circling approach to include a direction on an eight-point compass (N, NE, E, SE…) Circling obstruction clearance areas are determined by aircraft category and the aircraft should be maneuvered to remain within the circling area. Category : 1.7 NM ‘C’ Category : 2.3 NM ‘D’ When requesting circling MDA from the controller for a circling ASR approach, state your aircraft category. Circling minimums provide 300 feet of obstacle clearance within the clearance area for a specified category Additional consideration should be given to high altitudes and high tailwinds, possibly increasing aircraft category. After breaking out, maneuver the shortest path to the downwind or base leg, considering existing weather conditions. You may make turns in either direction to final, unless Directed otherwise by the controlling agency Required to by the IAP or IFR/VFR Supplement Other aircraft in the pattern If able, fly the circling maneuver at higher than circling minimums (up to pattern altitude) to allow for better site picture and visual cues. Do not descend below MDA or reduce airspeed below 130 KIAS until in a position to place a normal glide path to the runway. Circling Missed Approach [FTI 411, AIM 5.4.21] If you lose visual reference while circling to land or there is any doubt whether the aircraft can be safely maneuvered to touchdown, execute a missed approach. The missed approach instruction is designed to return the aircraft to an altitude providing en route obstruction clearance. If visual reference is lost while circling to land from an instrument approach, the missed approach specified for that procedure must be followed. To become established, an initial climbing turn toward the landing runway to ensure the aircraft remains within the circling obstruction clearance area, and continue until established on the climb-out instructions. FAA vs. ICAO Procedures ICAO has a wider radius for Circling FAA is more lenient with maneuvering to land ICAO vs. FAA Circling FAA
The circling MDA and weather minima published on IAPs are those for the runway to which the instrument approach was flown, and apply to non-radar non-precision approaches. Controllers may specific guidance for the circling approach to include a direction on an eight-point compass (N, NE, E, SE…) Circling obstruction clearance areas are determined by aircraft category and the aircraft should be maneuvered to remain within the circling area. Category ‘C’ : 1.7 NM Category ‘D’ : 2.3 NM When requesting circling MDA from the controller for a circling ASR approach, state your aircraft category. Circling minimums provide 300 feet of obstacle clearance within the clearance area for a specified category Additional consideration should be given to high altitudes and high tailwinds, possibly increasing aircraft category. After breaking out, maneuver the shortest path to the downwind or base leg, considering existing weather conditions. You may make turns in either direction to final, unless Directed otherwise by the controlling agency Required to by the IAP or IFR/VFR Supplement Other aircraft in the pattern If able, fly the circling maneuver at higher than circling minimums (up to pattern altitude) to allow for better site picture and visual cues. Do not descend below MDA or reduce airspeed below 130 KIAS until in a position to place a normal glide path to the runway. Circling Missed Approach [FTI 411, AIM 5.4.21] If you lose visual reference while circling to land or there is any doubt whether the aircraft can be safely maneuvered to touchdown, execute a missed approach. The missed approach instruction is designed to return the aircraft to an altitude providing en route obstruction clearance. If visual reference is lost while circling to land from an instrument approach, the missed approach specified for that procedure must be followed. To become established, an initial climbing turn toward the landing runway to ensure the aircraft remains within the circling obstruction clearance area, and continue until established on the climb-out instructions. FAA vs. ICAO Procedures ICAO has a wider radius for Circling FAA is more lenient with maneuvering to land ICAO vs. FAA Circling FAA
RI-4500-Block.docx