During a circling maneuver, what airspeed is flown on final and what is the radius of clearance?

During a circling maneuver, what airspeed is flown on final and what is the radius of clearance?

• A. 120 knots on final and 300 feet of clearance
• B. 110 knots on final and 500 feet of clearance
• C. 100 knots on final and 200 feet of clearance
• D. 130 knots on final and 400 feet of clearance

Answer: (A)

Circling-to-land is about flying a constant-radius turn to align with the runway while staying inside the protected area and keeping enough obstacle clearance during the maneuver. The airspeed on final is chosen to give a safe, controllable turn; about 120 knots is typical for many training aircraft, providing a practical turn rate without requiring an excessive bank or compromising the glide path. The radius of clearance describes the protective distance from the runway during the circle; 300 feet is the standard conservative value used in many training scenarios to ensure you remain within the required airspace while completing the circle. Speeds like 110 or 100 knots would be slower and could change the turn geometry away from the standard profile, and larger clearances such as 400 or 500 feet go beyond what is typically required for the standard circling exercise, making the combination of 120 knots on final with 300 feet of clearance the best fit.