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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Approaches are usually published with only circling minimums when the final approach course alignment relative to the runway exceeds 30 degrees (for most procedure types) or the descent angle is greater than 3.77 degrees (for Category C and below).

READING THE FINE PRINT

Jabara has an ILS and an RNAV (GPS) approach to Runway 18, plus a VOR-A and RNAV (GPS)-E, both of which feature only circling minimums. After my takeoff to the south and likely initial heading to the southeast, either of these approach options mean I would have to fly seven to 10 miles north before a turn west and eventual vector into the final approach course (unless the reason for my return involved communications failure, in which case I'd have to fly even further for the full approach).

Return Strategies: What will we do if we have a problem during our IFR departure? How will we get back on the ground?

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

Convenience: a government subsidy

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

When the approach only has circling minimums it's a heads up: Something you might expect isn't available here.

ALPHA DOG

"The circling minimums published on the instrument approach chart provide a minimum of 300 feet of obstacle clearance in the circling area.

When To Leave Final

They won't cancel circling minimums for the last or only conventional (groundbased) approach procedure at the airport.

TOO MANY APPROACHES

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

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

HOOK A RIGHT ... TWICE

Don't turn on course until reaching at least 400 feet agl; circling minimums for the runway in use is better if you have any obstacle concerns at all, and traffic pattern altitude is even better.

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

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

Unfortunately, were all bound by the same approach design no matter what we fly (except for circling minimums).

A bit over ninety: we think about GPS as enabling more capability, But there's a common situation where it's restricted to less. Understanding where and why lets you find ways around it