FlightSafety Launches Industry-First Circling Approach Training Course

FlightSafety International has launched a standardised Advanced Circling and Visual Approach training course, addressing high-risk manoeuvring scenarios that contribute to approach and landing accidents.

The three-part curriculum combines interactive eLearning foundational modules, facilitated ground sessions emphasising risk mitigation, and simulator training across varying operational conditions including mountainous terrain, low visibility, and restricted airspace.

"Circle-to-land procedures are high risk and require a unified and consistent training framework," said Ben Carter, Executive Vice President of Learning Center Operations at FlightSafety. 

"This course equips pilots with the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to perform circle-to-land approaches safely in real-world conditions."

The training emphasises planning, briefing, and execution strategies for operations where pilots must manoeuvre low to the ground in reduced visibility after completing an instrument approach to one runway, then circle to land on another.

Early course offerings have attracted corporate flight departments, owner-pilots, and fleet operators. A Fortune 100 company Chief Pilot operating multiple Gulfstream aircraft noted: "Industry data confirms that visual and circling approaches are some of the most demanding scenarios pilots face. I'm encouraged to see a course specifically designed to address these challenges."

FlightSafety will roll out the course across fixed-wing training programs at its learning centers throughout 2026.