Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2:

In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

CASA Recreational Pilot License (Aeroplane) — Lesson 6, Pre-flight theory

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Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Where we left off

Diagram showing the left-hand standard traffic pattern with the five legs (upwind, crosswind, downwind, base, final) labelled around a runway, with wind direction indicated.

  • You can describe the five legs of the circuit and the take-off.
  • Now: we need to complete the circuit by learning our downwind and approach procedures.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Theory Lesson Overview — Part 2

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Learning Objectives — Part 2

By the end of this session, our aim is to be able to:

  • Describe local aerodrome circuit procedures and how to integrate with other traffic.
  • State the pre-landing (BUMFISH) and short-final (PUFFC) checklists and when each is completed.
  • Explain the approach profile, the aiming point, and how to regain a correct approach path.
  • Outline the landing technique from final to touchdown.
  • Describe the touch-and-go procedure and the cautions that apply.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Waypoint 1 — Local Procedures and Traffic

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Local aerodrome circuit procedures

  • Every aerodrome has a published aerodrome guide that specifies any non-standard circuit directions, heights, joining procedures, and noise abatement procedures.
  • Source: ERSA, AIP, or for non-certified aerodromes, there may be a separate website with a pilot guide.
  • At uncontrolled aerodromes be sure to broadcast your position on the CTAF at standard reporting points such as entering the runway, rolling (taking off), downwind, turning final.

Look-up your local aerodrome's circuit direction, height, joining procedures, and CTAF. What special requirements does your aerodrome have?

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Traffic management in the circuit

  • Listen first — build a picture of where other traffic is before you transmit.
  • Lookout is continuous — clock code: scan in segments rather than staring at one spot.
  • Adjust circuit speed and spacing if you are catching the aircraft ahead.
  • Extend downwind if needed; never cut inside another aircraft.

See, hear, and decide — every leg.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Hand over / take over

  • One pilot is always flying the aeroplane.
  • Use the standard phraseology: "I have control" — "You have control" — "I have control".
  • Don't release the controls until the other pilot has accepted.

Three calls. Every time. Even in the simulator.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Waypoint 2 — Approach Technique

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Pre-landing checklist — BUMFISH

Before we begin the approach, we complete our pre-landing checks while on the downwind leg, before turning base and starting our descent.

Letter Item Action
B Brakes Check pressure / correct operation
U Undercarriage Down and locked (if retractable)
M Mixture Rich (or as required for altitude)
F Fuel On, sufficient, correct tank, primer in
I Instruments Altimeter set, T's and P's in green
S Switches Lights, beacon, fuel pump as required
H Hatches and harnesses Closed and secure

Complete BUMFISH before turning base — not while turning.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Normal Approach and Landing — 5 Stages

FAA AFH Chapter 9

  1. The base leg — positioning and configuring for the stabilised descent approach
  2. The final approach — stabilised descent to the aiming point
  3. The round out (flare) — transitioning from descent to landing attitude
  4. The touchdown — placing the aircraft on the runway
  5. The after-landing roll — directional control to runway exit
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Phase 1 — The Base Leg

Aerial view of an aircraft turning from base leg to final approach, aligning with the runway centreline.

  • Judge your height, distance, and rate of descent to set up a stabilised approach.
  • Reduce power; extend flaps incrementally and re-trim.
  • Target approximately 1.4 VSO on base. For e.g., if your VSO is 45 kts then you're targeting around 65 kts on base.
  • Track perpendicular to the runway centreline - which might require a drift correction, depending on the wind.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Short-final checklist — PUFFC

Complete when established on short final, typically around 500 ft AGL.

Letter Item Action
P Prop Fully fine (not yet relevant for us)
U Undercarriage Verified down and locked (also not yet relevant)
F Flap Use landing setting
F Fuel Fuel auxiliary pump verified on for fuel pressure
C carb heat Cold to ensure best power if you need to go around

If anything is not right on short final → go around.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Phase 2 — The Final Approach

Three-panel diagram showing runway shape at a constant 3° approach angle from 1,600 ft, 800 ft, and 400 ft from the threshold — the trapezoidal shape stays the same on a stabilised approach.

  • Align with the runway centreline; complete the final flap setting.
  • Target 1.3 VSO; control descent angle with pitch and power together.
  • On a stabilised approach the runway shape does not change — it just grows larger.
  • Aiming point stays still in the windscreen on a correct profile.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Regaining the correct approach path

Three cockpit views: too high (runway appears long and narrow), proper descent angle, too low (runway appears short and wide).

  • Too high — runway appears long and narrow → reduce power, increase descent.
  • Too low — runway appears short and wide → add power, reduce descent.
  • If the approach becomes unstable at this point → go around. No exceptions.

When in doubt, go around. There's always another circuit.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Waypoint 3 — Landing Technique

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Phase 3 — The Round Out (Flare)

Side view of a stabilised approach: the descent path intersects the ground at a defined aiming point, the aircraft then flares over the runway and touches down further along after the flare distance.

  • Begin the round-out at approximately 15 ft AGL: smoothly reduce power to idle, ease the nose up.
  • The curved flight path transitions from the approach angle to a landing attitude just above the runway.
  • Eyes down the runway, not at the nose.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Phase 4 — The Touchdown

Round-out and hold-off heights: aircraft levels at about 15 feet, descends to 2-3 feet, then holds off at around 1 foot with a near-zero rate of descent until touchdown.

  • Hold off — keep the aircraft flying just above the runway as it decelerates.
  • The hold-off ends when the aircraft touches down at minimum flying speed.
  • Main wheels contact first; keep the nose-wheel light as it settles.
  • Maintain centreline with rudder throughout.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Phase 5 — The After-Landing Roll

  • Maintain centreline with rudder as speed decays.
  • Brake progressively as required — most landings don't need much.
  • Keep the nose-wheel light until speed reduces naturally.
  • Vacate the runway at the nominated taxiway.
  • Complete the after-landing checklist when clear of the runway.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Waypoint 4 — Touch and Go

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Touch and go — combining landing and take-off

  • After touchdown, without stopping: reset for take-off.
    • Flaps to take-off setting.
    • carb heat cold (if applicable).
    • Trim to neutral.
  • Apply full power smoothly; continue as a normal take-off.

Touch and go is two phases — landing, then take-off — done one after the other.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Cautions during touch and go

  • Configuration in the right order — flaps and trim before power.
  • Don't rotate early — let the aircraft reach take-off speed first.
  • Maintain centreline through the whole sequence.
  • If the landing isn't clean → go around rather than converting it to a take-off. That is, re-establish control, power and performance rather than taking-off while not configured for take-off.

We may start with full-stop, or stop-and-go before getting to a touch-and-go.

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Waypoint 5 — Recap

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

What do you remember?

  • Where do you find the published circuit procedures and other information for an aerodrome?
  • Identify the components of the two pre-landing checklists (BUMFISH and PUFFC) and when each is completed.
  • What are the five phases of a normal approach and landing?
  • What is the target airspeed on base, and how does it differ from the target airspeed on short final?
  • What does the aiming point do when you're going to land short?
  • What's the rule when the approach is unstable during short final?
  • Why do you look at the far end of the runway in the round out?
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Summary — Theory Part 2

Topic Key point
Local procedures ERSA / AIP / local FIG. CTAF for uncontrolled aerodromes.
Traffic Listen, look, decide. Adjust spacing, extend downwind if needed.
Hand over "I have control" — "You have control" — "I have control".
Checklists BUMFISH is the pre-landing checklist — complete on downwind before turning base. PUFFC is the short-final check; go around if anything is wrong
5 phases Base leg (1.4VSO) → Final approach (1.3VSO, aiming point still) → Round out (~15 ft, power off) → Touchdown (main wheels, nose light) → After-landing roll (centreline, brake, vacate).
Unstable during short final Go around. Always.
Touch and go Flaps, carb heat, trim, then full power. Configuration in order.
Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Arrival — End of Part 2

Circuit Introduction — Theory Part 2: In the Circuit, Approach, and Landing

Questions?

Part 1 covered the geometry of the circuit, why we use wind, and the take-off itself. Part 2 picks up at the top of the climb and works through operating in the circuit, the approach, the landing, and touch-and-go procedures.

Quick recap question to reorient the student before the next chunk. Don't spend long here — Part 1 is fresh.

About 35 minutes for Part 2.

These map to the remaining CASA long-briefing topics for lesson 6.

Click Direct-To to arrive at Local Procedures and Traffic.

CASA reference: C2 4(f) Local aerodrome requirements, A3 4(p) Local area operating procedures. Emphasise: this is *the* place where every aerodrome is different. The procedure you fly here may differ from the one a few miles away.

CASA HF & NTS: NTS1 4(a) Effective communication, NTS2 4(c) Situational awareness, NTS2 4(i) Task management. AFH Ch 8 (Airport Traffic Patterns) and AIH Ch 9 (Risk Management) both cover this.

This is reinforced in the pre-flight brief. CASA HF & NTS item; introduced here so the student hears it before it matters in the air.

Click Direct-To to arrive at Approach Technique.

Emphasise: the goal is to have everything configured and confirmed before workload increases on base and final. Completing it on downwind gives you time to do it unhurried. AFH Ch 9 (Approaches and Landings) — pre-landing procedures.

Phases 1–2 are covered here under Approach Technique. Phases 3–5 continue under Landing Technique. Source: FAA AFH Ch 9, Normal Approach and Landing.

Source: FAA AFH Fig 9-3 (Base leg and final approach). AFH Ch 9: "The placement of the base leg is one of the important judgments made by the pilot to set up for a good landing." Flaps should be deployed as recommended — full flaps not recommended until final approach is established.

Emphasise: PUFFC is a last check before commitment. The go-around option is always available; naming it here explicitly reinforces the habit of treating short final as a decision point, not just a formality. AFH Ch 9 (Approaches and Landings) — short-final check.

Source: FAA AFH Fig 9-6 (Runway shape during stabilised approach). Aim to land in the **first third** of the runway. Attempting to stretch the approach with pitch alone causes AOA increase, airspeed decay, and risk of stall — always add power if low.

Source: FAA AFH Fig 9-7 (Approach angle visual cues). This is a foundational airmanship message — repeat it across this lesson and every circuit lesson that follows. Attempting to stretch a low approach with pitch alone is one of the most common causes of approach-to-landing accidents.

Click Direct-To to arrive at Landing Technique.

Source: FAA AFH Fig 9-5 (Stabilised approach and flare geometry). The figure shows the flare distance — how far along the runway the aircraft travels between starting the round-out and touching down. Emphasise that the round-out must be smooth; a sharp pull will balloon the aircraft back up.

Source: FAA AFH Fig 9-12 (Round-out and hold-off sequence). The figure shows the gradual height reduction from ~15 ft round-out down to ~1 ft hold-off. Emphasise that hold-off is "fly it down slowly", not "let it drop". The student's job is to keep flying until the aircraft settles — not to force it down.

Emphasise: the landing isn't over until the aircraft has cleared the runway and after-landing checks are done. Distraction risk is high in this phase. CASA MOS reference: A4.1.

Click Direct-To to arrive at Touch and Go.

Cautions: - Workload is highest at the moment of transition. Brief and practise the configuration changes. - Some aircraft / aerodromes prohibit touch and go (single-runway training, noise).

Plan to introduce the circuit workload in stages rather than all at once, and re-enforce this through the lesson.

Click Direct-To to arrive at Recap.

Final round of questions before moving to the pre-flight brief.