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AIM Update Effective January 22: Circling Guidance Clarified

January 23, 2026/in News/by Flight Training Central Staff

The FAA’s latest update to the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) took effect January 22, 2026. While most changes are editorial, the FAA clarified guidance on approach and landing minimums—specifically reinforcing pilot responsibilities and published restrictions during circling approaches. Pilots are encouraged to review the updated AIM language carefully.

Video tip: Flying internationally (FARs, flight planning, eAPIS and US Customs)

January 21, 2026/in Video Tips/by Bret Koebbe

One of the most rewarding trips you can take after earning your pilot certificate is leaving the U.S. and heading to new destinations in Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean. This week’s video tip takes a look at what it takes to fly internationally, including flight planning, extra equipment requirements and how to file the required paperwork with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

AIM Update Effective January 22: Circling Guidance Clarified

January 23, 2026/in News/by Flight Training Central Staff

Video tip: Flying internationally (FARs, flight planning, eAPIS and US Customs)

January 21, 2026/in Video Tips/by Bret Koebbe

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AIM Update Effective January 22: Circling Guidance Clarified

January 23, 2026/in News/by Flight Training Central Staff

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.