Visual circling 1

28.10.2004

Submission:

As Ian has pointed out, the right turn will put you out of the obstacle clearance areas. Also, as pointed out by Ian, the missed approach procedure for any approach begins at the missed approach point. Once entering the visual segment, either by flying past the MAP or by descending below the MDA, the aircraft is no longer guaranteed obstacle clearance. Thus, when executing a missed approach from the visual segment of circling one has to make the best of a bad situation.

The applicable US rule is 14CFR 91.175, which states,

"(e) Missed approach procedures. Each pilot operating an aircraft, except a military aircraft of the United States, shall immediately execute an appropriate missed approach procedure when either of the following conditions exist: ...

(2) Whenever an identifiable part of the airport is not distinctly visible to the pilot during a circling manoeuvre at or above MDA, unless the inability to see an identifiable part of the airport results only from a normal bank of the aircraft during the circling approach."

But your question was which way to turn. The US Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) gives some guidance on this (AIM 5-4-19):

"c. If visual reference is lost while circling-to-land from an instrument approach, the missed approach specified for that particular procedure must be followed (unless an alternate missed approach procedure is specified by ATC). To become established on the prescribed missed approach course, the pilot should make an initial climbing turn toward the landing runway and continue the turn until established on the missed approach course. Inasmuch as the circling manoeuvre may be accomplished in more than one direction, different patterns will be required to become established on the prescribed missed approach course, depending on the aircraft position at the time visual reference is lost. Adherence to the procedure will assure that an aircraft will remain within the circling and missed approach obstruction clearance areas. (See FIG 5-4-20.)"

You can see from 5-4-20 below, that the AIM covers the almost exact case you state in your example, and the depicted procedure is to turn TOWARDS the airport. Yes, the AIM is not a regulatory document, but in general the procedures in it are good aeronautical practice. So my recommendation to you and your pilots would be to turn towards the airport when going missed from the visual segment, and then execute the missed approach from over the airport. I think Ian's discussion of turn radii supports this.


Vince Massimini - The MITRE Corporation - USA