What are the requirements for circle to land?

• A. 1200 ft HAA and 2sm
• B. 1000 ft HAA and 3sm or charted, whichever is higher
• C. 600 ft HAA and 1sm
• D. 900 ft HAA and 4sm

Answer: (B)

Circling to land requires minimum weather and altitude to ensure you can maneuver safely from the instrument approach to the runway while maintaining obstacle clearance. The standard minimums for a circle-to-land are 1000 ft above the airport and 3 miles of visibility. These values give enough vertical and lateral clearance to complete the circle and align with the runway. The rule “or charted, whichever is higher” means if the published approach plate specifies higher minimums due to terrain, airspace, or obstacles, you must use those higher minimums instead. So the correct requirement is 1000 ft HAA and 3 statute miles, unless the chart shows higher values. The other options either use nonstandard figures or lower minimums than the typical standard.