Contents
When can you do a straight in approach?
Straight-In Landing: A landing made on a runway aligned within 30 degrees of the final approach course following completion of an instrument approach. As you can see, a straight-in approach simply means that you don’t fly a procedure turn or holding-in-lieu-of procedure turn.
Can you land straight in on a circling approach?
Circling-only approaches do not allow a straight in approach so you will only see circling minima. The Instrument Procedures Handbook explains the reasons for building circle to land only approaches: The final approach course alignment with the runway centerline exceeds 30°.
When can you make a straight in landing if using an approach procedure having only circling minimums?
C) The pilot may utilize any altitude from the MEA/MOCA to 6,000 feet, but each change in altitude must be reported to ATC. When may a pilot make a straight in landing, if using an IAP having only circling minimums? A) The pilot may land straight in if the runway is the active runway and he has been cleared to land.
What is straight in approach?
Straight-in approach IFR An instrument approach wherein final approach is begun without first having executed a procedure turn, not necessarily completed with a straight-in landing or made to straight-in landing minimums.
Are straight-in approaches legal?
Therefore, pilots operating in the traffic pattern should be alert at all times to aircraft executing straight-in approaches. It is legal. The left downwind pattern entry at a 45 degree angle is recommended in the AIM to standardize operations and is therefore not regulatory in nature.
Why are there only circling minimums?
Circling minimum descent altitudes are higher than minimums for ILS, RNAV GPS, VOR, or other, more precise approach procedures, so if lower cloud bases are present, you won’t see well enough to safely land flying at circling minimums.