7.33. Circling Approach

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7.33.1. Objective. Safely maneuver to align with the landing runway.

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7.33.2. Description. Visual flight maneuver used to align with runway if approach does not meet requirements for a straight-in approach or an approach to a runway different than the landing runway must be flown. Circling is performed with the runway environment in sight at all times.

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7.33.2.1. Airspeed - 120 KIAS recommended; 110 KIAS minimum while circling until on a visual final.

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7.33.2.2. Gear - Down.

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7.33.2.3. Flaps - TO.

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7.33.3. Procedure. See AFMAN 11-202V3, for detailed information.

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7.33.3.1. Fly the instrument approach at 110 KIAS and accelerate to recommended airspeed of 120 KIAS when commencing the circle or fly the entire instrument approach and circle at recommended airspeed of 120 KIAS. In no case allow the aircraft to slow below 110 KIAS during any portion of the circling maneuver. If visibility permits, attempt to maintain lateral spacing that allows for a 30-degree bank turn to final, and begin the base turn to allow for normal length final (approximately one-half mile). Normally, fly the T-6 to Category B circling minimums based on its maneuvering airspeed of 120 KIAS, however, a higher circling category may be selected to increase circling radii as long as that category’s minima are observed. Do not exceed the obstacle clearance distance of the selected circling category during the circling maneuver.

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7.33.3.2. Landing flaps may be extended on base or final if landing distance is critical. Descend from MDA when in position to intercept a normal glidepath. Airspeed may be reduced from 120 KIAS to approach speed appropriate for the flap setting (110 KIAS flaps UP; 105 KIAS flaps TO; 100 KIAS flaps LDG) when transitioning to final.

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7.33.4. Technique.

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7.33.4.1. If electing to fly the circling approach at 120 KIAS, approximately 1 degree nose low and 21% torque (i.e., “non-precision pitch and precision power”; see Table 7.1) should hold 120 KIAS until the MDA. At the MDA, approximately 3 degrees nose high and 35% power should hold level flight. Additional power may be required to hold level flight during the circling portion of the approach.

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7.33.4.2. At circling MDA, visual cues for runway displacement appear considerably different than those commonly used in the overhead pattern. Because of the lower altitude, proper displacement on a circling approach appears to be much wider than for an overhead pattern. A good visual reference for proper downwind spacing at 500 feet AGL is wingtip on the landing runway.

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7.33.4.3. At circling MDA (approximately 600 feet AGL on most approaches) maintain a level turn from perch point to halfway through base. Halfway through the base turn the visual cues should start to look like a normal pattern (halfway down, halfway around). Once established (halfway through the base turn) on a normal descent path, start the descent from the MDA.

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7.33.4.4. Practice circling approaches at the MDA. However, under actual conditions, increase altitude above the MDA as weather conditions permit, up to normal overhead pattern altitude (1,000 feet AGL).

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