circling minimums

Circling minimum indicated on approach charts.

The minimum descent altitude (MDA) and visibility required for the circling procedure.
circuit
i. The pattern followed by an aircraft from takeoff to landing. It consists of takeoff; climb straight ahead; turn onto the first crosswind (through 90°); turn onto the downwind—where the track the aircraft is following is parallel to the runway but opposite to the takeoff or landing direction; turn onto the base leg (through 90° to 135°); and final approach terminating in landing. On aircraft carriers, the circuit may be circular. Also referred to as an aerodrome traffic circuit.
ii. A path, consisting of various electrical devices joined by wires, to allow an electrical current to flow continuously through it.

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Not only are circling minimums NA for Cat C and D, but so are straight-in mins.

HOOK A RIGHT ... TWICE

There is no free lunch, of course, so remember that the new circling criteria expand the area of protected airspace, generally, by raising circling minimums themselves, to provide more obstacle-free airspace in which to perform the maneuvers.

Incomplete circles: recent accidents show how an unstabilized circle-to-land maneuver can turn a sure bet into a smoking hole

You can call up an approach chart without fear (or guilt) that maybe the circling minimums changed last month.

Convenience: a government subsidy

In other words, a straight-in procedure is authorized, but you must use the higher circling minimums.

Fine print: It your job to determine if it legal to fly an approach procedure, not ATC's. Find the answers you need in the notes on the appropriate chart

They have only circling minimums and are named with a letter (VOR-A, RNAV-B, etc.

Approach clearance: sure, approach clearances are an earful for pilots and a mouthful for ATC, but each element contributes to situational awareness and a safe landing

Each includes circling minimums greater than 2000 feet agl, and none are authorized at night.

Which approach? The procedure with the lowest MDA or DH may not be your best choice. Think about your equipment, weather, circling, the miss and nearby terrain

The whole thing started when a reader asked about an approach to a Runway 26 that had the note, "Rwy 26 Straight-in and Circling minimums NA at night.

Circling versus mins

Some will restrict themselves to taking off only when circling minimums for the approach exist at the time of departure.

Departure procedures: just as an airport has an approach procedure, it also has departures. Set them up the same way

Good to know, even accepting that's 1200 feet above the runway, or a 24-degree descent angle to land straight in, and it's 600 feet above circling minimums.

Capital line items

In a circle-to-land maneuver, you must maintain circling minimums until you are in a position to make a normal rate of descent to the touchdown point.

Let yourself down: verify the altitude to which you can descend before pulling the plug. Even if you're off airways or being vectored, you'll find it on the chart

Add departure minimums like, "Departure ceilings and visibility must be at or above circling minimums for an available approach.

DIY SOP considerations

Many current RNAV approaches list several different sets of minimums, including circling minimums, and an "LNAV MDA," as if you were using GPS in lieu of a localizer on a non-precision approach.

IFR GPS: good, bad or just ugly? In a few short years, GPS revolutionized light-plane IFR. Along with the added capability can come higher workload, though, along with greater complexity