Circle to Land - VMC only question
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 558
With this restriction on your type rating, you can not circle to land if the reported conditions at the airport are less than VMC (1000 ft. ceiling and 3 miles visibility). It has nothing to do with a visual approach, being able to maintain visual contact with the airport or being clear of clouds.
You can also tell if the airport is below VMC if the green/white beacon is on during daylight hours.
You can also tell if the airport is below VMC if the green/white beacon is on during daylight hours.
Last edited by Coneydog; 11-30-2015 at 09:53 AM.
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: B757/767
Posts: 130
,
I don't believe the original question was referring to a restriction on a type rating...only the maneuver itself. Also, a circle to land maneuver has everything to do with remaining clear of clouds and maintaining visual contact with the runway. The whole maneuver is predicated on that.
The first sentence from the OP talks about an interesting discussion he is having concerning this "restriction".
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: B757/767
Posts: 130
Of course maintaining a visual with the runway and remaining clear of clouds are critical for a circle to land maneuver, but if you do not have reported VMC conditions and you have this restriction on your license, you can not even begin the maneuver, even if you could guarantee those things.
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: B717 FO
Posts: 25
This thread got off track quick. To answer the original question, you do not have to have cloud clearance requirements to conduct a circling maneuver unless required by your ops specs. VMC is defined by visibility, ceiling, and as mentioned cloud clearance requirements. The only definition of cloud clearance requirements is in FAR 91.155 which covers VFR flight rules. Because you are operating under IFR in a circle to land maneuver these do not apply. Bottom line, check your ops-specs. If they say that it is only "clear of clouds" for a circle to land maneuver, this is what is intended and is legal to do.
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 2,481
#17
This is a good discussion. As an Air Force pilot, here are the requirements for circling...
"If a circling approach is to be flown, the weather must be at or above both the published ceiling and visibility. Circling to land is a visual flight maneuver. When the instrument approach is completed, it is used to align the aircraft with the landing runway. After descending to circling minimum descent altitude and when the airport environment is in sight, determine if the ceiling and visibility are sufficient for performing the circling maneuver. The airport environment is considered the runways, its lights and markings, taxiways, hangars, and other buildings associated with the airport."
Air Force Manual 11-217Vol1
So as long as the WX (ceiling and vis) is at or above the mins, I can shoot the approach, and as long as I can keep the airport environment in sight, I can descend below MDA to intercept a normal glide path for landing. So the way I was taught, I don't need VMC conditions (1500/3 for USAF).
Thread post alibi...Please don't blast me for posting USAF criteria. LOL! Just wanted to contribute to the discussion.
"If a circling approach is to be flown, the weather must be at or above both the published ceiling and visibility. Circling to land is a visual flight maneuver. When the instrument approach is completed, it is used to align the aircraft with the landing runway. After descending to circling minimum descent altitude and when the airport environment is in sight, determine if the ceiling and visibility are sufficient for performing the circling maneuver. The airport environment is considered the runways, its lights and markings, taxiways, hangars, and other buildings associated with the airport."
Air Force Manual 11-217Vol1
So as long as the WX (ceiling and vis) is at or above the mins, I can shoot the approach, and as long as I can keep the airport environment in sight, I can descend below MDA to intercept a normal glide path for landing. So the way I was taught, I don't need VMC conditions (1500/3 for USAF).
Thread post alibi...Please don't blast me for posting USAF criteria. LOL! Just wanted to contribute to the discussion.
#18
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
If your type certificate states "Circle to Land VMC only", you haven't received the required training to conduct true circle to land approaches and are therefore restricted to VMC (3 miles and 1,000 foot ceiling) conditions, unless the circle to land procedure has higher minimums posted.
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 127
This thread got off track quick. To answer the original question, you do not have to have cloud clearance requirements to conduct a circling maneuver unless required by your ops specs. VMC is defined by visibility, ceiling, and as mentioned cloud clearance requirements. The only definition of cloud clearance requirements is in FAR 91.155 which covers VFR flight rules. Because you are operating under IFR in a circle to land maneuver these do not apply. Bottom line, check your ops-specs. If they say that it is only "clear of clouds" for a circle to land maneuver, this is what is intended and is legal to do.
West coast, thanks. This makes sense to me and I'll go search the op specs for more info.
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,066
Sorry if my original question was not clear. Our discussion was spurred by the type restriction and wether you are legal to perform a circle when the ceiling is lower than 1,500 ft. I.e. ... Whether you need to be 500 below the ceiling.
West coast, thanks. This makes sense to me and I'll go search the op specs for more info.
West coast, thanks. This makes sense to me and I'll go search the op specs for more info.
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