Update to Expanded Circling Minimums

From the FAA

Beginning with the August 7, 2025 publication date, FAA Aeronautical Information Services (AJV-A) will begin removing the Circling Icon from the Minimums section of the Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) charts and RADAR Instrument Approach Minimums.

Background: In 2012, there was a change to the TERPS criteria that affected circling area dimension by expanding the areas to provide improved obstacle protection. To indicate that the new criteria had been applied to a given procedure, an “inverse C” was placed on the circling line of minimums.

All circling areas have now been evaluated for the circling MDA protected area radius as shown in the table in the TPP Legend. Users may ignore the presence of the “inverse C” symbol on charts, and they will be removed on a day-forward basis.

What this means for you

Now all circling approaches use the “expanded circling minimums” chart. These minimums are now referred to as just “circling minimums”. The '“inverse C” symbol can now be ignored as the FAA removes it from approach plates.

While studying for your instrument rating, you should now memorize the circling distances for your aircrafts approach category. Additionally, keep a copy of this page of the Terminal Procedures Supplement to be able to cite the circling distances for other approach categories during your checkride.

If you already have your instrument rating, make sure to review this information before conducting any circling approaches. it is recommended to conduct practice approaches with an instructor and/or practice circling in an approved simulator to build new habits while conducting circling approached.