Definition
A visual maneuver flown after completing an instrument approach, used to align the aircraft with a runway that is not aligned with, or is otherwise unsuitable to land straight-in from, the final approach course. The pilot maneuvers visually around the airport, remaining within a protected area at or above the published circling minimums, until in position to descend and land.
Plain English
After flying an instrument approach, the pilot keeps the airport in sight and flies a visual loop around it to line up with a different runway for landing.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts in the landing minimums section, often as a separate line from straight-in minimums.
Derivation
Circling comes from circle, meaning a round path or movement around something. In aviation, the word points to the idea of maneuvering around the airport visually instead of flying directly in to one runway.
Why Pilots Care
It permits a safe landing on an available runway when straight-in alignment is not possible, but requires maintaining visual contact with the airport throughout the maneuver.
Intuition Check
Circling does not mean making a full circle around the airport. It means visually maneuvering near the airport to get lined up with the landing runway after an instrument approach.
Example Sentence 1
The approach was to Runway 9, but the wind favored Runway 27, so the pilot briefed a circling approach to land in the opposite direction.
Example Sentence 2
Circling minimums are higher than straight-in minimums because extra altitude is needed for the maneuvering.