Circling Revisited

Mark Kolber

Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:02 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

IFR circling approaches at non-towered airports must generally adhere to standard VFR traffic pattern rules (e.g., left turns) as mandated by FAA regulations and Chief Counsel interpretations, clarifying common misconceptions.
Opposite-direction circling is only permissible if explicitly authorized by ATC (in Class E) or, more commonly, by a specific note on the instrument approach procedure (IAP) chart that prohibits circling in the standard direction, effectively requiring the opposite.
Even when legally authorized to circle against the standard pattern, pilots must prioritize safety and avoid actions that could be deemed reckless, especially concerning potential conflicts with VFR traffic in the standard pattern.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Turning in the opposite direction of the regulatory traffic pattern during a circling approach is an almost constant topic of discussion in instrument pilot circles. In “Going Below Minimums” (May 2022 IFR), we wrote:

“At a non‑towered airport the Instrument Flying Handbook in Figure 10‑13 seems to indicate that you can circle in any direction that makes sense. But several legal interpretations have shown that the FAA wants you to circle in the same direction that VFR traffic is required to travel.”