Instrument Rating – Airplane › VI. Instrument Approach Procedures › Task D. Circling Approach

IR.VI.D.S4

Skill

Establish the approach and landing configuration. Maintain a stabilized approach and a descent rate that ensures arrival at the MDA, or the preselected circling altitude above the MDA, prior to the missed approach point.

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Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Aeronautical Information Manual p. 5-4-59
Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures › Section 4. Arrival Procedures › 5-4-21. Missed Approach
procedure (including the alternate missed approach), request a different approach procedure, or coordinate with ATC for alternative action to be taken, i.e., proceed to an alternate airport, etc. f. When approach has been missed, request clearance for specific action ... alternative airport, another approach, etc. g. Pilots must ensure that they have climbed to a safe altitude prior to proceeding off the published missed approach, especially in nonradar environments. Abandoning the missed approach prior to reaching the published altitude…
Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 4-37
Chapter 4: Approaches › Stabilized Approach
This process is simplified by maintaining a constant approach speed, descent rate, vertical flight path, and configuration during the final stages of an approach. This is referred to as the stabilized approach concept. A stabilized approach is essential for safe ... turbojet operations and commercial turbojet operators must establish and use procedures that result in stabilized approaches. A stabilized approach is also strongly recommended for propeller-driven airplanes and helicopters. You should limit configuration changes at low altitudes to those changes…
Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 4-40
Chapter 4: Approaches › Missed Approach
nonstandard takeoff minima, other traffic expected to be in the vicinity, or other factors not specifically expressed by the approach procedures. A clearance for an instrument approach procedure includes a clearance to fly the published missed approach procedure, unless otherwise ... instructed by ATC. Once descent below the DA, DH, or MDA is begun, a missed approach must be executed if the required visibility is lost or the runway environment is no longer visible, unless the loss of sight…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 9-30
Chapter 9: Approaches and Landings › Faulty Approaches and Landings › High Final Approach
sudden decrease in lift and causes the airplane to sink more rapidly. If there is any doubt about the approach being safely completed, it is advisable to execute an immediate go-around. Figure 9-30. Right and wrong methods ... correction for low final approach. High Final Approach When the final approach is too high, the pilot may lower the flaps as required. Further reduction in power may be necessary, while lowering the nose simultaneously to maintain approach airspeed…
Instrument Flying Handbook p. 10-20
Chapter 10: IFR Flight › Approach to an Airport With an Operating Tower, With an Approach Control › Circling Approaches
parallel runways that are separated by 1,200 feet or less, followed by a straight-in landing on the adjacent runway. Aircraft executing a side-step maneuver are cleared for a specified nonprecision approach and landing on the adjacent parallel ... runway. For example, “Cleared ILS runway 7 left approach, side-step to runway 7 right.” The pilot is expected to commence the side-step maneuver as soon as possible after the runway or runway environment is in sight. Landing minimums…