Plane Pilot Neglects Mark 'Southern Circle NA Beyond Runway 09', Narrowly Avoiding a Head-On Collision Incident
In the world of aviation, navigating circling approaches can be a challenging task, especially when terrain or obstacles prevent the standard maneuver. Here's a comprehensive guide to help pilots execute safe circling approaches, as demonstrated by a recent near-Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) event involving a C172 aircraft.
## Key Steps for Safe Circling Approach
1. **Pre-Brief the Approach:** Review the approach plate meticulously, noting minimum descent altitude (MDA), obstacle clearance, and any terrain considerations. Understand the available circling directions and the implications of each.
2. **Consider the Environment:** If terrain or obstacles prevent the standard circling maneuver toward the runway, select an alternative direction for the circling maneuver—but only if it is allowed and safe per the approach chart and NOTAMs. Never attempt a circling maneuver that takes you toward hazardous terrain or obstacles.
3. **Maintain Visual Contact:** The circling approach is a visual maneuver. You must establish and maintain visual contact with the runway or airport environment throughout the maneuver. If visual contact is lost at any point, immediately execute the published missed approach procedure.
4. **Fly the Maneuver with Precision:** Keep the aircraft within the protected area depicted for circling maneuvers. Stay at or above the circling MDA until established on final and ready to descend for landing. Banks should be gentle, with roll rates not exceeding standard instrument-rated limits, and with constant visual reference to the runway and terrain.
5. **Avoid Night and Low Visibility:** Circling approaches at night or in low visibility are highly discouraged due to increased risk of spatial disorientation and collision with terrain or obstacles. If possible, divert to an alternate airport with a more suitable approach.
6. **Be Ready to Go Missed:** If at any time you lose visual reference, encounter obstacles, or feel uncomfortable with the maneuvering, execute the missed approach without delay.
7. **Monitor Airspeed and Aircraft Configuration:** Maintain appropriate airspeed and configuration for maneuvering at low altitudes while managing energy and control authority.
## What to Do If the Initial Direction Is Not Possible
1. **Assess Alternatives:** If the initial circling direction must be avoided due to terrain or obstacles, look for another safe sector to maneuver within the circling area, as depicted on the approach chart.
2. **Do Not Accept Unsafe Directions:** If no safe direction is available, do not continue with the approach. Instead, execute a missed approach and proceed to your alternate airport.
3. **Use Technology and Procedures:** If an RNAV or RNP approach to the desired runway is available, consider using it instead of a circling approach, as these approaches often provide lower minimums and improved obstacle protection.
## Summary Table: Circling Approach Best Practices
| Step | Action/Consideration | |-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Pre-Brief | Review plate, terrain, obstacles, and minimums | | Visual Contact | Maintain at all times; if lost, go missed | | Safe Maneuvering | Stay within protected area; avoid night/low visibility | | Alternative Directions | Use only if safe and permitted | | Missed Approach | Execute if unsafe or visual lost |
By following these guidelines, you maximize safety and minimize the risk of controlled flight into terrain or obstacles during a circling approach. Briefing the approach early allows time to review thoroughly and avoid missing procedures or NOTAMs. When flying near terrain, use a sectional chart or something showing terrain more visibly than just the instrument approach plate. Subscribing to aviation resources can help improve piloting skills, ensuring a safer flight for everyone.
- When navigating circling approaches in aviation, it's essential to pre-brief the approach, meticulously reviewing the approach plate, minimum descent altitude, obstacle clearance, and any terrain considerations.
- Understanding the available circling directions and the implications of each is crucial before attempting a circling approach, especially when terrain or obstacles prevent the standard maneuver.
- The circling approach is a visual maneuver, so pilots must establish and maintain visual contact with the runway or airport environment throughout the maneuver.
- To execute a safe circling approach, fly the maneuver with precision, keeping the aircraft within the protected area depicted for circling maneuvers and maintaining gentle banks with constant visual reference to the runway and terrain.
- Circulating approaches in low visibility or at night are highly discouraged due to increased risk of spatial disorientation and collision with terrain or obstacles.
- Pilots must be ready to go missed at any point during a circling approach, executing the published missed approach procedure if visual contact is lost, obstacles are encountered, or the maneuver feels unsafe.
- While maneuvering at low altitudes, it's essential to monitor airspeed and aircraft configuration to maintain appropriate airspeed and control authority.
- If the initial circling direction must be avoided due to terrain or obstacles, pilots should assess alternatives to find a safe sector to maneuver within the circling area, as depicted on the approach chart.
- If no safe direction is available, do not continue with the approach. Instead, execute a missed approach and proceed to an alternate airport. Using technology and procedures like RNAV or RNP approaches can provide lower minimums and improved obstacle protection.
