Circling Approach

Circling Approach

9.1General. Visual Manoeuvring (Circling) (VM(C)) is the term used to describe the visual phase of flight, after completing an instrument approach, to bring the aircraft into position for landing on a runway not suitably located for a straight-in approach. Any instrument procedure (precision or non-precision) may be used but the descent in the final segment will be to MDA/H for VM(C) as defined and calculated in 8.38. The procedure is defined as non-precision only, despite the type of approach.

9.2Visual Flight Manoeuvre. A circling approach is a visual flight manoeuvre keeping the runway in sight. Each circling situation is different because of variables such as runway layout, final approach track, wind and meteorological conditions. Therefore there can be no single procedure that will cater for every situation. After initial visual contact, the basic assumption is that the runway environment (the runway markings, lights or approach lighting etc…) will be

kept in sight while at MDA/H for circling.

9.3 The Visual Manoeuvring (Circling) Area. VM(C) is only permitted in the VM(C) area. This is determined for each category of aircraft by drawing arcs related to aircraft manoeuvring speed centred on each runway threshold and joining those arcs with tangential lines. The radius of the arcs is related to:

•Aircraft category

•Speed (for each category)

•Wind speed (assumed as 25 kt throughout the turn)

•Bank angle (20° or rate 1 whichever requires less bank)

9.4 Prohibited Sector. The area may be sectored and VM(C) may be precluded from a particular sector where unrealistic MDA/H for VM(C) would otherwise exist. In this case, the published information will specify the sector and the restriction.

Circling Approach 9

Visual Manoeuvring

(Circling) Area

R