Definition
A table on an instrument approach chart that lists the minimum descent altitudes and visibility requirements for circling approaches, organized by aircraft approach category (A, B, C, D, or E) based on the aircraft's approach speed.
Plain English
A small chart that tells you the lowest altitude and the visibility you need when circling to land at an airport, based on how fast your aircraft flies on approach.
Context Anchor
Seen in the landing minimums area of an instrument approach chart during approach briefing and before deciding which minimums apply.
Derivation
The word 'maneuvering' comes from the French manœuvrer, meaning to work by hand or operate. In aviation it refers to actively flying the aircraft through turns and altitude changes — which is exactly what a circling approach requires when you cannot land straight in.
Why Pilots Care
It defines the safe maneuvering area and minimums so the aircraft remains protected from obstacles while circling to land in instrument conditions.
Intuition Check
Do not read Maneuvering Table as instructions for how to turn or fly the airplane. In this context, it is a limits table: it gives the minimum altitude and visibility you must use for the landing option selected.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the approach, the pilot checked the maneuvering table and noted that, as a Category B aircraft, she needed at least 600 feet and one mile of visibility to circle.
Example Sentence 2
Higher approach speeds placed the flight in a different row of the maneuvering table, raising the required visibility for the circling maneuver.