What is the standard final approach airspeed used during circling maneuvers?

What is the standard final approach airspeed used during circling maneuvers?

• A. 120 knots
• B. 100 knots
• C. 90 knots
• D. 110 knots

Answer: (A)

Circling approaches require a final approach speed that gives you enough lift and control authority while you’re in a banked turn at low altitude. The standard value used for this final approach speed is 120 knots because it provides a reliable balance: it’s fast enough to maintain stable flight and good maneuverability in a turn with flaps configured for landing, yet slow enough to keep a comfortable margin above stall for the typical bank angles used during circling. This speed helps ensure you have adequate control, obstacle clearance, and recovery margin in most light airplanes. Other speeds would either be too close to stall in a turn with flaps down or travel too fast, reducing maneuverability and increasing the turn radius. While some aircraft might publish a circling speed closer to 110 or 100 knots, the widely taught default for exams and general practice is 120 knots.

Circling approaches require a final approach speed that gives you enough lift and control authority while you’re in a banked turn at low altitude. The standard value used for this final approach speed is 120 knots because it provides a reliable balance: it’s fast enough to maintain stable flight and good maneuverability in a turn with flaps configured for landing, yet slow enough to keep a comfortable margin above stall for the typical bank angles used during circling. This speed helps ensure you have adequate control, obstacle clearance, and recovery margin in most light airplanes.

Other speeds would either be too close to stall in a turn with flaps down or travel too fast, reducing maneuverability and increasing the turn radius. While some aircraft might publish a circling speed closer to 110 or 100 knots, the widely taught default for exams and general practice is 120 knots.