Circling approach

[Jlo]

Hi everyone

Can anyone tell me what the required visual reference is for a circling approach?


I know that the lowest minima to be used by an operator for circling are:

Visibility and MDH for circling approach:
Aircraft category
A B C D
MDH 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft 700 ft
Minimum visibility 1500m 1600m 2400m 3600m


To land off a non-precision approach or Cat1 ILS the required visual reference is anyone of the following:
(a) Elements of the approach light system;
(b) The threshold;
(c) The threshold markings;
(d) The threshold lights;
(e) The threshold identification lights;
(f) The visual glide slope indicator;
(g) The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markings;
(h) The touchdown zone lights;
(i) Runway edge lights; or
(j) Other visual references accepted by the Commissioner.

What is it for a circling approach?

Any help would be much appreciated!:)

[collie77]

Hi, remember that a circling approach is a visual manouever so the runway must always be in sight, if at any stage during the procedure you lose sight of the runway a missed approach must be flown. In my company our SOP's say that you are not allowed leave the circling height or adopt the landing configuration or speed until either:

the touchdown point on the runway of intended landing is in view
or
at least 7 consecutive lights, which may be approach lights or runway lights, or a combination of both, are in sight.

Hope this helps!

[fluffyfan]

Those minima are the lowest possible, and that would only be when the minima are published for a cirling approach, and I seem to remember that JHB is the only place that has published minima for Circling approach.

At the company I work for the minima for a field without a published circling approach is 1500 ft and 5km vis.

[Avi8tor]

Dont forget the 'visual maneuvering area' for circling. Rather complex area that uses radii off runway thresholds. Dont have the jepp to hand for page ref.

[Chess Mate]

You can take a look to ICAO Doc8168 for further info. Basically it depends on the published minima for a specific approach. It follows an instrumental approach for a runway that is not the runway in use.
Minima is established depending on obstacles surrounding the area where the inst. app. finishes.

Sometimes it is not possible a circling approach cause of the obstcales so it should be specifically stated int he APP. Chart.

Cheers... mate