The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has increased the size of protected airspace used in establishing the minimum descent altitude (MDA) on circle-to-land approaches. On May 2, 2013, FAA will begin publishing instrument approach procedures that use the larger circling approach airspace dimensions. This new criteria affords pilots greater lateral obstacle clearance protection and increased maneuvering space to properly align and stabilize the final approach and landing out of a circling approach.