Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Instrument Rating • ACS Area VI, Task D

The Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with performing a circling approach procedure.

Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Attention/Motivator:
    0:05
    Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Circling Approaches:
    0:20
    Part 3, Circling Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    0:25
    Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    0:05
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Research and present a mishap case study:
    • Discuss approach category, circling minimums, airport geometry, weather, terrain, and visual-contact requirements involved in the event.
    • Relate similar personal experiences.
    • Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.

  • Motivator:

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Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Materials

Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Before the lesson, review reference materials.
  • Part 1, Lesson Introduction:
    • Review the lesson plan, including the attention getter and motivator.
    • Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
    • Explain that a circling approach requires continuous visual contact, precise altitude and airspeed control, and disciplined low-altitude maneuvering.
    • Set expectations for respecting approach-category limitations, maintaining a stabilized flight path, and transitioning promptly to a missed approach when required.
  • Part 2, Circling Approaches:
    • Explain and assess the essential knowledge and procedures associated with circling approach.
    • Before reaching minimums, have the learner brief the expected airport environment—including the approach runway, landing runway, airport geometry, traffic direction, lighting cues, and where identifiable portions of the airport are likely to appear—so visual orientation is anticipated rather than surprising.
    • Cover elements related to circling approach procedures and limitations, including approach categories and related airspeed restrictions. (IR.VI.D.K1)
    • Discuss the risks created by deviation from prescribed circling-approach procedures. (IR.VI.D.R1)
    • Discuss risk management for executing a circling approach at night or with marginal visibility. (IR.VI.D.R2)
    • Discuss risk management for losing visual contact with an identifiable part of the airport. (IR.VI.D.R3)
    • Discuss the risks associated with managing automated navigation and autoflight systems. (IR.VI.D.R4)
    • Discuss management of altitude, airspeed, and distance while circling. (IR.VI.D.R5)
    • Discuss risk management for low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). (IR.VI.D.R6)
    • Discuss risk management for executing a missed approach after the MAP while circling. (IR.VI.D.R7)
  • Part 3, Circling Approaches Guided Scenario(s):
    • Present a realistic circling approach scenario and have the learner identify hazards, make appropriate decisions, and explain the proposed course of action.
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to comply with the circling approach procedure considering turbulence, windshear, and the maneuvering capability and approach category of the aircraft. (IR.VI.D.S1)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to confirm the direction of traffic and adhere to all restrictions and instructions issued by ATC or the evaluator. (IR.VI.D.S2)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate. (IR.VI.D.S3)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to establish the approach and landing configuration. Maintain a stabilized approach and a descent rate that ensures arrival at the MDA, or the preselected circling altitude above the MDA, prior to the missed approach point. (IR.VI.D.S4)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to maintain airspeed ±10 knots, desired heading/track ±10°, and altitude +100/-0 feet until descending below the MDA or the preselected circling altitude above the MDA. (IR.VI.D.S5)
    • Introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to visually maneuver to a base or downwind leg appropriate for the landing runway and environmental conditions. (IR.VI.D.S6)
    • If a missed approach occurs, introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to turn in the appropriate direction, follow the correct procedure, and configure the airplane appropriately. (IR.VI.D.S7)
    • If landing, introduce, demonstrate, and assess the learner's ability to initiate a stabilized descent and touch down within the first one-third of the selected runway without excessive maneuvering, exceeding the airplane's normal operating limitations, or exceeding 30° of bank. (IR.VI.D.S8)
  • Part 4, Lesson Conclusion:
    • Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
    • Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
    • Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
    • Debrief the learner's procedure compliance, visual-contact management, aircraft control, runway alignment, and missed-approach decision-making.
  • Update instructor endorsement records and the student's jacket, as required.
Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Interactive Guided Scenario

Interactive Guided Scenario

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Decision 1
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Scenario Complete

Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Instrument Rating Circling Approach Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 1 ACS Element
Risk Management 7 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.D.R1:
    Prescribed circling approach procedures.
  • IR.VI.D.R2:
    Executing a circling approach at night or with marginal visibility.
  • IR.VI.D.R3:
    Losing visual contact with an identifiable part of the airport.
  • IR.VI.D.R4:
    Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
  • IR.VI.D.R5:
    Management of altitude, airspeed, or distance while circling.
  • IR.VI.D.R6:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • IR.VI.D.R7:
    Executing a missed approach after the MAP while circling.
Skills 8 ACS Elements
  • IR.VI.D.S1:
    Comply with the circling approach procedure considering turbulence, windshear, and the maneuvering capability and approach category of the aircraft.
  • IR.VI.D.S2:
    Confirm the direction of traffic and adhere to all restrictions and instructions issued by ATC or the evaluator.
  • IR.VI.D.S3:
    Use single-pilot resource management (SRM) or crew resource management (CRM), as appropriate.
  • IR.VI.D.S4:
    Establish the approach and landing configuration. Maintain a stabilized approach and a descent rate that ensures arrival at the MDA, or the preselected circling altitude above the MDA, prior to the missed approach point.
  • IR.VI.D.S5:
    Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, desired heading/track ±10°, and altitude +100/-0 feet until descending below the MDA or the preselected circling altitude above the MDA.
  • IR.VI.D.S6:
    Visually maneuver to a base or downwind leg appropriate for the landing runway and environmental conditions.
  • IR.VI.D.S7:
    If a missed approach occurs, turn in the appropriate direction using the correct procedure and appropriately configure the airplane.
  • IR.VI.D.S8:
    If landing, initiate a stabilized descent. Touch down on the first one-third of the selected runway without excessive maneuvering, without exceeding the normal operating limits of the airplane, and without exceeding 30° of bank.
Instrument Rating Circling Approach Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • Circling Approach requires disciplined planning, stabilized energy management, and precise control from the approach through touchdown and rollout.
    • Evaluating wind, runway conditions, obstacles, aircraft performance, and personal limitations helps pilots recognize when an approach remains safe and when a timely go-around is required.
    • Consistent airspeed control, runway alignment, traffic scanning, communication, and checklist discipline integrate aircraft handling with sound operational judgment.
    • Continued practice with Circling Approach prepares instrument pilots for changing conditions and increasingly demanding landing scenarios in later training.

  • Closure:

    • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
    • Assign study materials for the next lesson.