Having read Brian Johnson's article regarding the accident of the Bonanza circling at Chester, Conn., (Probable Cause, Aug. 21), I'm reminded how often I see pilots, especially high-time pilots, attempt the same maneuver without an ATC clearance to do so. The circle-to-land must be part of the approach clearance from the Approach Controller. Pilots who miss the straight-in approach who then spot the runway often then ask the Local Controller for permission to circle-to-land. An authorization that can't be issued without coordination with an approach controller who may have another aircraft sequenced for an approach.Robert W. Coulter
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.avweb.com/features/reader-mail/avmail-aug-28-2006