Circling Approach
What is circling approach?
A circling approach is an instrument approach maneuver flown when the final approach course is not aligned with the runway (or conditions require landing on a different runway), requiring the pilot to fly a visual pattern around the airport to line up for landing. After breaking out of the clouds and establishing visual contact, the pilot maneuvers—often using a teardrop or other pattern—while staying within the protected circling area at or above the circling minimums until in position to land. Think of it as: the instrument approach gets you to the airport, but you "circle" visually to set up for the runway you actually want.
Also known as: circle-to-land, circling maneuver, circling minimums
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