Circling Approaches Flashcards
What are the requirements for decent below MDA while visually circling during an NPA?
a. Maintains the aircraft within the circling area; and
b. Maintains a visibility, along the intended flight path, not less than the minimum specified on the chart for the procedure; and
c. Maintains visual contact with the landing runway environment (i.e. the runway threshold or approach lighting or other markings identifiable with the runway); and either
d. by night or day, while complying with a., b. and c. and from a position within the circling area on the downwind, base or final leg of the landing traffic pattern at an altitude not less than the MDA, can complete a continuous descent to the landing threshold using rates of descent and flight manoeuvres which are normal for the aircraft type and, during this descent, maintains an obstacle clearance along the flight path not less than the minimum for the aircraft performance category until the aircraft is aligned with the landing runway; or
e. in daylight only, while complying with a., b. and c., maintains visual contact with obstacles along the intended flight path and an obstacle clearance not less than the minimum for the aircraft performance category until the aircraft is aligned with the landing runway.
NOTES:
The concept is as follows:
1. The pilot maintains visual contact with the landing runway while the aircraft is circled at MDA to a position within the traffic pattern that intercepts a normal downwind, base or final approach. If the MDA is above the downwind height, the pilot maintains MDA and downwind spacing until they reach a position from which descent at normal approach rates to join base can be made (see Figure 1).
2. When daylight exists and obstacles can be seen, the pilot has the option of descending from MDA from any position within the circling area while maintaining an obstacle clearance not less than that required for the aircraft performance category.
3. Once the pilot initiates descent below circling MDA, the obstacle protection offered by visual circling at the MDA ends and they are responsible for ensuring the required clearance from obstacles is maintained visually.
REF: AIP ENR 1.5, 1.6.6 – Restrictions on Visual Circling
What is the minimum obstacle clearance & circling area required for all categories aircraft? How are the circling areas measured?
Obstacle Clearances:
1. CAT A/B = 300ft
2. CAT C/D = 400ft
3. CAT E = 500ft
Circling Area Radii:
1. CAT A = 1.68 nm
2. CAT B = 2.66 nm
3. CAT C = 4.2 nm
4. CAT D = 5.28 nm
5. CAT E = 6.94 nm
radius of an arc centred on the threshold of each usable runway and joining these arcs by tangents
REF: AIP ENR 1.5, 1.6.6 Note 3 - Restrictions on Visual Circling
REF AIP ENR 1.5 1.6.6 Note 3
IPC Quiz
Knowledge Requirement:
Circling approaches
Can you circle in a ‘No Circling’ Area?
‘No circling’ area is normally due to a prominent obstacle in the circling area outside the final and missed approach area. Visual circling is prohibited in ‘No Circling’ sector by day in less than VMC and at night.
REF: AIP ENR 1.5, 1.6.2 - Restrictions on visual circling
How do you execute a missed approach while visually circling & then loosing visual reference?
Initial climbing turn toward the landing runway and when overhead the aerodrome, establish the aircraft on the missed approach path.
REF: AIP ENR 1.5, 1.10.3 – Missed approach – Standard procedures
