Circling Approaches

Question 1

How can you tell if circling approach is available?

Answer 1

A minima is published

Question 2

In a circling approach, which missed approach procedure would be flown?

Answer 2

The procedure associated with the instrument approach

Question 3

In a circling approach, what is the benefit of delaying activating the secondary?

Answer 3

The missed approach for the instrument procedure remains in the flight plan

Question 4

What are some top tips for setting up a circling approach on MCDU?

Answer 4

Insert F speed as a constraint at FAF.

Insert landing runway in secondary, with nothing else, ready for easy activation, keeping the discontinuity

Question 5

What is the company operations manual minima for a circling approach?

Answer 5

?

Question 6

In a circling approach, what is the correct procedure to fly the initial instrument part?

Answer 6

Early stabilised approach, so F speed, Conf 3, gear down.

Question 7

In a circling approach, when is the landing checklist completed?

Answer 7

In the descending phase of the instrument approach, except for the flaps for landing, which are confirmed during the final turn

Question 8

What is the correct way to carry out a checklist when one part is incomplete?

Answer 8

Say the item that is blue

EG “Cabin check Blue”

Question 9

In a circling approach, if you cock up the timing, what is a good place to initiate the final turn?

Answer 9

45 degrees from the threshold

Question 10

What is the correct way to complete the intial turn in a circling approach?

Answer 10

45 degrees off (or as published)

30 seconds once wings are level, before turning downwind

Question 11

In a circling approach, when should you activate the secondary flight plan?

Answer 11

During the downwind phase

Question 12

In a circling approach, what is the method for finding out how far downwind to fly?

Answer 12

Abeam threshold start chrono, then 3 seconds per 100ft HEIGHT ABOVE TOUCHDOWN.

Consider elevation!

Question 13

In a circling approach, what is a good angle of bank for the initial turn?

Answer 13

25 degrees, but consider crosswind

Question 14

What are the stability criteria differences for a circling approach?

Answer 14

By 400ft above TDZE

Landing config
Correct lateral path
Correct vertical path
Vapp +10/-5kt
Bank max 15 within 30
Landing checklist completed

Question 15

What should happen during a circling approach when ‘500’ is announced?

Answer 15

Nothing.

PM should call “400, stable”

or

“400 not stable, go around”

Question 16

Why are circling approaches flown in Flap 3?

Answer 16

To avoid unwanted GPWS

Question 17

Will there be an auto callout for “100 above” in a circling approach?

Answer 17

No. PM must make this call

Question 18

In a circling approach, when does PF press V/S zero?

Answer 18

100ft above MDA

Question 19

In a circling approach, when must the descent be initiated in the base turn?

Answer 19

When threshold of the runway is identified and aircraft is in position to continue normal rate of descent and land within touchdown zone

Question 20

In a circling approach, when is the latest point to disconnect AP/FD?

Answer 20

Before starting the final descent toward runway

Question 21

What is the protected area on a circling approach?

Answer 21

4.2nm from all runway thresholds