AIM Update Effective January 22: Circling Guidance Clarified

The FAA’s latest update to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) took effect January 22, 2026. Most of the revisions are editorial or administrative in nature, but one change is worth a closer look —particularly instrument pilots flying circling approaches.

Clarification to Approach and Landing Minimums

The FAA revised AIM 5-4-20, Approach and Landing Minimums, to clarify pilot responsibilities during circling approaches and reinforce compliance with 14 CFR § 91.126, consistent with FAA Chief Counsel interpretations.

The updated guidance emphasizes that published circling area restrictions must always be followed, regardless of ATC instructions. These restrictions may:

• Apply only to certain aircraft categories

• Differ between day and night

• Prohibit circling in specific directions relative to a runway

The updated guidance emphasizes that published circling area restrictions must always be followed.

At towered airports, pilots must follow controller instructions during a circling maneuver—but an ATC clearance does not override published circling restrictions. At non-towered airports, pilots are reminded to comply with standard traffic pattern rules unless a published restriction requires otherwise.

The revised language reinforces the importance of remaining within the protected circling maneuvering radius.

The revised language also reinforces the importance of:

• Remaining within the protected circling maneuvering radius

• Maintaining vigilance for other traffic

• Understanding how the missed approach point (MAP) is determined for circling procedures

The AIM also reiterates that circling from certain approaches—such as a GLS, an ILS without a localizer line of minima, or an RNAV (GPS) approach without an LNAV line of minima—is not authorized.

More Information

The complete Explanation of Changes (effective January 22, 2026) if available here.

The complete AIM is available in here in Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

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Flight Training Central Staff

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