Incomplete Circles

Not all approach procedures are aligned with the runway on which we want to land. Once we have it in sight, to get from the procedures missed approach point (MAP) to the desired runway, we may need to maneuver well within 1000 feet agl in low visibility, and do it at a relatively low airspeed to remain within airspace protected from obstacles. Its called circling to land, and is one of IFRs red-headed stepchildren: a visual maneuver, with IFR constraints.Sadly, a few of us each year prang airplanes while circling to a runway after an approach. To learn more about how and why, we looked at a collection of recent accidents during circling maneuvers. They all seem to have a few things in common, like banking too steeply in turns and letting the airplane descend too early.

Key Takeaways:

• Circling to land is a high-risk IFR maneuver, frequently leading to accidents due to factors such as banking too steeply, descending prematurely, and flying at speeds incompatible with protected airspace.
• Key accident causes include unstabilized approaches, pilots descending below the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) before being properly positioned, and insufficient pilot proficiency in complex low-altitude maneuvers.
• To enhance safety, pilots must adhere to stabilized approach principles, maintain the circling MDA until a continuous, normal descent to the runway can be made, and limit bank angles to a maximum of 30 degrees.

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