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:

Missed approaches initiated during a circling maneuver are not always covered by published missed approach procedures, potentially compromising obstacle clearance and traffic separation.
Pilots are advised to contact ATC immediately when initiating a missed approach from a circle to obtain specific guidance and amended clearance.
If ATC contact is not possible, pilots should use their judgment to either attempt to re-intercept a published missed approach segment, re-attempt a landing visually if safe, or execute a "circle-climb" over the airport while trying to re-establish communication.

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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.