09 Circuit Intro

Circuit introduction

The circuit is an orderly pattern used to position the aircraft for landing and to minimise the risk of collision with other aircraft. Aerodromes attract traffic, so rules and procedures are necessary to maintain an organised flow.

Knowing that all aircraft should follow published procedures makes it easier to:

• Identify which runway is in use

• Predict where other aircraft are or may be

• Understand who has right of way or priority for take-off and landing

Having right of way does not remove the pilot-in-command’s responsibility to avoid collisions.

The standard circuit pattern, along with aerodrome-specific procedures, is published in AIP New Zealand, while the governing rules are contained in Part 91, Subpart C.

By this stage, the student has already acquired the skills leading up to this lesson. The only new skill now is landing the aircraft. This briefing assumes a normal left-hand circuit, with nil wind or wind straight down the runway. Variations, such as right-hand circuits or crosswinds, will be introduced gradually.