Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Circling approaches are some of the most challenging maneuvers in instrument flying, but the FAA doesn't tell you exactly how to fly the pattern.
In this lesson, we fly an RNAV approach to Sidney Municipal Airport before circling to land on another runway. Along the way, we'll discuss how to choose which direction to circle, how wind and runway visibility affect your decision, and what the circling protected area actually means.
You'll learn:
How circling approaches work at non-towered airports
Whether you should fly left or right traffic
How circling protected areas are determined
Why obstacle protection shouldn't dictate your pattern
How to stay stabilized while maintaining visual contact with the runway
Common mistakes pilots make during circling maneuvers
If you've ever wondered how experienced instrument pilots plan and execute circling approaches in real-world conditions, this video walks through the entire thought process step by step.
đ Become a more confident IFR pilot with FlightInsight's complete online courses:
flight-insight.com/courses
đ FlightInsight IFR Checkride Study Guide
flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf
Subscribe for weekly aviation training videos covering instrument flying, checkride preparation, weather, regulations, aircraft systems, and practical cockpit decision-making.
Circling approaches are some of the most challenging maneuvers in instrument flying, but the FAA doesn't tell you exactly how to fly the pattern.
In this lesson, we fly an RNAV approach to Sidney Municipal Airport before circling to land on another runway. Along the way, we'll discuss how to choose which direction to circle, how wind and runway visibility affect your decision, and what the circling protected area actually means.
You'll learn:
How circling approaches work at non-towered airports
Whether you should fly left or right traffic
How circling protected areas are determined
Why obstacle protection shouldn't dictate your pattern
How to stay stabilized while maintaining visual contact with the runway
Common mistakes pilots make during circling maneuvers
If you've ever wondered how experienced instrument pilots plan and execute circling approaches in real-world conditions, this video walks through the entire thought process step by step.
đ Become a more confident IFR pilot with FlightInsight's complete online courses:
flight-insight.com/courses
đ FlightInsight IFR Checkride Study Guide
flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf
Subscribe for weekly aviation training videos covering instrument flying, checkride preparation, weather, regulations, aircraft systems, and practical cockpit decision-making.
