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Circling, can you cross other runways?

Asked by: 1931 views FAA Regulations, Instrument Rating

If I am flying say VOR/ILS circle to runway 090 and there is another runway that intersects mine or a parallel runway , making a X II or T or any other configuration. Am I cleared automatically to cross or “overfly” the other runway(s)  without ATC clearance?

1 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Sep 21, 2018

    At a non towered airport, you will circle in the direction of the pattern and there are no other limitations. ATC does not provide circling instructions at a non towered airport.

    At a towered airport, you follow ATC instructions. So if they instruct you to circle left or to circle east of runway 2, that’s what you do. If the instructions are simply to circle to land or circle to a runway, the direction of circle is being left to the pilot or may be dictated by the approach chart, example circling north of runway 9 NA. There are no implied restrictions on crossing over runways in the circle maneuver unless explicitly stated by ATC.

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