Circuit Direction

It is unlikely you will get an exam question on this topic. This first paragraph is very important.

Most aerodromes all our turns when taking off or landing are done to the left. This is known as a left hand circuit direction or standard circuits.

However due to mountains, housing, wildlife and other factors, sometimes it is necessary to turn to the right and have right hand circuits or non standard circuits.

Circuits are always to the left unless indicated on the ground or in ERSA.

 

Circuit Indicators – this is not widely known or used, but handy to know. Unlikely to be examined.

circuit-indicators

The L shapes either side of the wind indicator are called circuit indicators. they tell us which way to turn when taking off and that indicates the circuit direction.

In the diagram above the active runway would be 21, and the circuit indicator for 21 is telling us to use right hand turns. So if we were landing on that runway we also use right hand turns.

Is runway 03 left or right hand circuits?