Circling Revisited

Mark Kolber

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

At non-towered airports, IFR circling approaches generally must follow the standard VFR traffic pattern (left turns unless otherwise indicated), a rule consistently reinforced by FAA regulations (FAR 91.126) and legal interpretations.
The only exception to the standard traffic pattern rule for circling approaches is when the instrument approach procedure (IAP) explicitly prohibits circling in the standard direction, thereby authorizing or requiring the non-standard turn.
Even when legally permitted to circle against the standard traffic pattern, pilots must prioritize safety, remain vigilant for other traffic, and avoid actions that could be considered reckless under FAR 91.13.

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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.”