Circling Uncertainty

Your home field is non-towered, and the AWOS says the winds are fierce out of the west. If it was VFR, Runway 27 would rock. However, theres nasty precipitation starting five miles east of the airport. The RNAV 27 approach would drive you right through it. Youve already been beaten up enough for one day. Instead, the reported 800 foot ceiling inspires you request an RNAV approach to Runway 36 with a circle to Runway 27. The circling mins are 600 feet for your aircraft category. Youll stay close to the airport and once you get underneath, you can bring it around to land into the wind on 27.

tkarmer

Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Published missed approach procedures do not guarantee obstacle clearance or traffic separation if initiated during a circling maneuver.
Pilots going missed from a circling approach should immediately contact ATC for amended instructions, or proactively request them beforehand in marginal weather.
If unable to contact ATC, pilots should attempt to re-intercept a published missed approach segment, or if unsafe, consider reattempting a visual landing or executing a circle-climb over the airport while re-establishing communication.
Sound pilot judgment, aircraft knowledge, and situational awareness are paramount for safely executing circling approaches and handling subsequent missed approaches.

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Y ou’re ready to get home after a long cross country. Outside, it’s the kind of soggy, overcast day that begs for a Netflix couch binge under a blanket. Rivulets of rain slither across your windshield. It’s been nothing but bumps the whole way and you’re just drained.

Your home field is non-towered, and the AWOS says the winds are fierce out of the west. If it was VFR, Runway 27 would rock. However, there’s nasty precipitation starting five miles east of the airport. The RNAV 27 approach would drive you right through it. You’ve already been beaten up enough for one day. Instead, the reported 800 foot ceiling inspires you request an RNAV approach to Runway 36 with a circle to Runway 27. The circling mins are 600 feet for your aircraft category. You’ll stay close to the airport and once you get underneath, you can bring it around to land into the wind on 27.