Aviation Training Experts™

Aviation Dictionary

Circling approach

A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight- in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable.

Dictionary Term

Circling approach

Definitions

  • A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight- in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable.
  • A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable.

References

  • Instrument Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2014
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Federal Aviation Administration, 2023