Skip to main content
Calcimator

Circling Approach Calculator

Circling approach minimums, category, radius, and visibility requirements per FAA TERPS.

Inputs

Results

Approach category (1=A...5=E)

1

Circling MDA (ft MSL)

5,500

Circling MDA (ft AGL)500
Circling radius (NM)1.3
Min visibility required (SM)1
Visibility adequate (1=Yes)1
Crosswind component (kts)5
Headwind component (kts)8.7
Standard rate bank (deg)13.5
Turn radius (NM)0.78
Circling time (min)3.5
CategoryA
Hat500
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your aircraft's Vref or 1.3 Vso (KIAS) to determine approach category (A through E).
  2. Set airport elevation (ft MSL) and height of the highest obstacle within the circling area (ft AGL).
  3. Enter the straight-in MDA from the approach plate and reported visibility (SM).
  4. Review the applicable circling MDA (ft MSL and AGL), circling radius (NM), and minimum visibility.
  5. Ensure actual visibility exceeds the minimum required before commencing a circling approach.

How the result changes with Vref / 1.3 Vso (KIAS)

Vref / 1.3 Vso (KIAS)Approach category (1=A...5=E)Circling MDA (ft MSL)
3115,500
10625,500
19555,500
27055,500

What each input means

Vref / 1.3 Vso (KIAS)
Reference landing speed (1.3 × stall speed in landing config).
Airport elevation (ft)
Airport elevation above MSL.
Highest obstacle AGL (ft)
Height of tallest obstacle in the circling area above airport elevation.
Straight-in MDA (ft MSL)
Published straight-in MDA for the approach.
Reported visibility (SM)
Current reported flight visibility in statute miles.
Runway length (ft)
Available runway length.
Wind speed (kts)
Reported surface wind speed.
Wind angle off runway (deg)
Angle between wind direction and landing runway heading.

What each result means

Approach category (1=A...5=E)
Aircraft approach category based on Vref speed.
Circling MDA (ft MSL)
Minimum descent altitude for the circling approach.
Circling MDA (ft AGL)
Height above airport elevation.
Circling radius (NM)
Protected airspace radius for circling maneuver.
Min visibility required (SM)
Minimum visibility required for this approach category.
Visibility adequate (1=Yes)
1 if reported visibility meets or exceeds minimums.
Crosswind component (kts)
Crosswind component for the landing runway.
Headwind component (kts)
Headwind component for the landing runway.
Standard rate bank (deg)
Bank angle for a standard rate turn at Vref.
Turn radius (NM)
Turn radius at Vref in a standard rate turn.
Circling time (min)
Approximate time for the circling maneuver.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Vref / 1.3 Vso (KIAS) = 87, Airport elevation (ft) = 5000, Highest obstacle AGL (ft) = 200, Straight-in MDA (ft MSL) = 5500 = 8 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Approach category
    1 = 1
  3. Calculate Circling MDA
    Circling MDA = max(
    5500 = 5500
  4. Calculate Circling MDA
    Circling MDA = circlingMdaFt - airportElevationFt
    500 = 500
  5. Calculate Circling radius
    1.3 = 1.3

Engine last updated . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Flight Planning

Performance Landing Calculator

Landing ground roll and total distance corrected for density altitude, weight, wind, and runway condition.

Flight Planning

Performance Takeoff Calculator

Takeoff ground roll and total distance corrected for density altitude, weight, wind, and gradient.

Flight Planning

VFR Flight Planner Calculator

Route planning with wind correction, groundspeed, time enroute, and fuel estimates.

More in Aviation, Marine & Transport.