What defines a circling approach?

A circling approach is characterized by a visual maneuver that allows the pilot to align the aircraft with the landing runway after completing a final approach from a different direction. This approach is typically used when the runway does not have a straight-in instrument approach available, and the pilot must visually identify the runway while maneuvering the aircraft around the airport or the landing area.

The essence of a circling approach lies in its reliance on the pilot’s visual references rather than relying solely on instruments. Pilots often execute a series of turns or maneuvers to safely place the aircraft in line with the runway for landing, maintaining a specific visual pattern that ensures they remain oriented to the runway during the alignment process. This method is especially useful in good weather conditions where visual navigation aids are available.

In contrast, other options describe different procedures or approaches. For instance, a mandatory flying pattern without altitude change does not accurately define the nature of a circling approach, as altitude management is critical during the maneuver. A straight-in landing approach refers to a method where the aircraft approaches the runway directly without the need for circling, while low visibility landing techniques typically involve instrument approaches where visual reference is limited, contradicting the visual nature of a circling approach.