Circling Revisited

Mark Kolber

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

IFR circling approaches at non-towered airports generally must adhere to the standard VFR traffic pattern rules (e.g., left turns unless explicitly indicated otherwise by airport signage).
Previous FAA Chief Counsel interpretations consistently affirmed that FAR §§91.126 and 91.127 apply to all aircraft, including IFR operations, dispelling misconceptions from sources like the Instrument Flying Handbook.
The only explicit authorization to circle in a non-standard direction occurs when an Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) chart specifically prohibits circling in the standard direction, thereby requiring or authorizing the opposite turn.
Even when legally authorized by an IAP chart, circling against the standard traffic pattern carries significant safety risks due to potential conflicts with VFR traffic and could be deemed 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.”