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Visual Approach vs Manoeuvring in the Circling Are

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(@user1096)
Trusted Member Customer
Joined: 17 hours ago
Posts: 35
Topic starter  

G'day Bob / Other,

I don't know if I'm just picking the fly-crud from the pepper here, but I see a conflict regarding the minimum heights to be maintained.

During the visual appr. (ifr or vfr) a miminum height to be maintained is 500ft / 1000'ft as per CAR 157

vs

During an approach (having broken cloud) one may manoeuver and descend as necessary below MDA (in the circling area, ground in sight etc) at 300 ft (new charts) or 400ft (old charts) along the intended flight path to position yourself for landing.

I kinda "get it" that during [i]final[/i] approach CAR 157 no longer holds true (purpose of take off and landing), but whilst in the circling area and manoeuvring to land (not yet on final), which minimum height would be in force - the 300/400 (chart) or the CAR 157's 500/1000ft?

With thanks,

ANdy



   
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Bob Tait
(@bobtait)
Illustrious Member Customer
Joined: 16 years ago
Posts: 2538
 

Actually CAR 157 does not mention anything about being 'on final'. It says that the requirement for 1000/500 feet does not apply if the aircraft is 'in the course of actually taking off or landing'. CAR 157 (4)(e)

[attachment=459]CAR157.png[/attachment]

When you are circling in the circling area in conditions below VMC, you are 'in the course of actually landing'.

Bob



   
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(@user1096)
Trusted Member Customer
Joined: 17 hours ago
Posts: 35
Topic starter  

The devil's in the detail. Tx Bob.



   
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