What is the minimum airspeed to use when circling to land on an instrument approach?

What is the minimum airspeed to use when circling to land on an instrument approach?

• A. 110 KIAS
• B. 120 KIAS
• C. 125 KIAS
• D. 130 KIAS

Answer: (B)

When circling to land on an instrument approach, you need a speed that gives enough margin above stall while still providing good control authority in a banked turn. The minimum speed used for this maneuver is about 120 KIAS. This speed helps ensure you won’t stall in the turn and gives you reliable handling as you maneuver to align with the runway.

Going slower than this increases stall risk in the banked turn, especially as load factor rises, while going significantly faster reduces maneuverability and can make a precise circling turn harder to maintain. Thus 120 KIAS is the balance commonly taught for safe circling.