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 standard VFR traffic pattern rules (e.g., left turns), a requirement reinforced by FAA regulations and consistent legal interpretations.
An Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) chart explicitly prohibiting circling in the standard direction is the *only* official authorization for a pilot to circle in the opposite direction.
Even when legally authorized 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 §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.”