Definition
An ATC clearance authorizing a pilot to fly an instrument approach to one runway and then maneuver visually at low altitude around the airport to land on a different runway, when a straight-in landing from the instrument approach is not possible or not desired.
Plain English
Permission from air traffic control to fly an instrument approach toward one runway, then, once the airport is in sight, fly a visual loop around it to line up and land on a different runway.
Context Anchor
Heard from ATC during an IFR arrival when the instrument approach brings you to the airport but does not line you up for a normal straight-in landing on the intended runway.
Derivation
Circling' comes from the visual maneuver itself — the pilot circles the airport at low altitude after breaking out of the clouds, instead of landing straight ahead off the instrument approach.
Why Pilots Care
Enables a safe landing when the instrument approach runway is unsuitable, but requires maintaining visual contact with the airport and staying inside protected airspace.
Grounding Statement
A circling approach clearance gets you to the airport on instruments, then lets you use visual maneuvering near the airport to position for landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read “clearance” as meaning the path is automatically clear of clouds, terrain, or obstacles. Here it means ATC has authorized the procedure, but the pilot must still meet the visual requirements, minimum altitudes, and circling limits.
Example Sentence 1
Cleared for the VOR Runway 13 approach, circle to land Runway 31.
Example Sentence 2
After breaking out of the clouds we received the circling approach clearance and maneuvered to the downwind for the opposite runway.