1.8 Circuit 1

Lesson 1.8 – Circuit 1 Date: 20-04-2026

Introduction

Today was the day that we do circuit training for the first time. An hour before this flight lesson, I passed the meteorology theory exam which I’m very happy about, after some doubts the night before. Now I need to do just 2 more exams (AGK and POF) to be done with the theory.

Before looking further into the required steps and procedures, I will first review how an aerodrome circuit looks like. Every part of it has an name, which makes it easy to communicate with ATC and other traffic about where you are around the aerodrome. Saying phrases like “North of the runway” or “Approaching runway” are very vague phrases which we avoid.

Aerodrome circuit explained

A circuit around an aerodrome is divided in several legs, where we will always take-off and land into the wind. That is where the names come from:

Here is the full picture of all legs:

The rest of this page, I will use these phrases.

Runway memory items

The runway memory items is this short checklist you must know right before lining up and take-off. Lining up means crossing the yellow separator from taxiway to runway.

1. Carb heat - Off
2. Transponder - ALT
3. Flaps 10
4. Strobe, and Landing lights - On
5. Taxi lights - Off
6. Pitot heat when in air under 10 degrees
7. Check magnetic heading

Circuit flying rules

In the circuit, some rules apply to flying the circuit to make it safe for yourself, other traffic and people on the ground.

1. Minimum altitude for turning is 300ft HAA (Height above aerodrome), normal turning altitude is 500ft HAA
2. Do not perform the after take-off checklist in the circuit
3. On crosswind leg, pay attention for possible new traffic joining the circuit at mid-downwind. This is the traffic entry point
4. Descend power is 1500RPM
5. Turn to final with at least 70 kts IAS and max 20 degrees bank to avoid a stall, preferably fly every turn at 20 degrees max: when not climbing
6. You should have 350ft HAA after completing the turn to final
7. Landing flaps must be extended at 150ft HAA

RT calls in the circuit

At some points, the tower and other traffic expect you do do various radio calls in the circuit. This is an extra reminder to other traffic to announce your position and traffic separation.

1. Lining up runway (initial take-off)
2. Beginning downwind
3. Mid downwind -> landing intention (Full stop/Touch and go)
4. On base (not required)
5. On final
6. Possible go-around

When leaving the circuit

• Leaving circuit area

The lesson itself

The lesson itself went great. The weather was okay but not great. We had a slight crosswind coming from the north at around 7-8 knots. This was completely opposing the runway at a 90 degrees angle. It was around 12 degrees and a sky filled with cumulus clouds with a layer of altostratus above. A typical occlusion-front weather type.

After doing the pre-flight inspection on my own we taxied to the runway and took off. We exited the circuit to re-enter it again, just to practice this. Then we did 6 circuits and landings with flaps and a last circuit without flaps.

The most important sentence of this lesson is: “Pitch for speed, power for altitude”. This means:

• Increase power to gain altitude, decrease power to lose altitude
• Increase pitch angle to lose speed, decrease pitch angle to gain speed

As we had a crosswind, we needed to do some other actions too. We had to crab the airplane into the wind to maintain the track to the runway and we need to land on the wind-facing wheel first. This prevents us from overrunning the runway by the wind.

The lesson went great and after some touch-and-go’s I think taking off went a lot smoother.

Remarks

The set of real reminders which I need to remember for future lessons are the following:

• Starting the pre-flight inspection, check magneto’s set to OFF -> this prevents a hot prop
• Carb heat must be set on downwind leg and kept on till after landing and completing the after landing checklist
• Keep the plane into the wind with Ailerons
• Review and practice the briefings for take-off and approach

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