What should you do if you lose visual reference while circling to land?

In a situation where visual references are lost while circling to land, initiating a turn toward the landing runway and climbing is a safe response. This action allows for a controlled maneuver back toward the airport and the runway that is intended for landing. By climbing, the pilot ensures they have enough altitude to manage the aircraft better in conditions of poor visibility and gives them more options to re-establish visual contact with the runway or assist in navigating back through the airspace safely.

Climbing while turning also aids in avoiding any potential obstacles or terrain that might be present, particularly when visibility has deteriorated. Additionally, this approach allows for the possibility of re-establishing a stable flight path under visual or instrument conditions, enabling the pilot to reassess the situation as it develops.

While other options may seem viable, they do not prioritize immediate safety or proper navigation protocol in compromised visibility conditions. Maintaining a controlled ascent and heading back toward the runway is the most reliable approach to regain control of the landing process.