AIM 

4/20/23 

NOTE

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Circling approach area radii vary according to approach category and MSL circling altitude due to TAS 

changes—see FIG 5

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4

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28. 

FIG 5

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28 

Standard and Expanded Circling Approach Radii in the U.S. TPP 

2.  Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ). 

A volume of airspace above an area beginning at the runway 

threshold, at the threshold elevation, and centered on the extended runway centerline. The POFZ is 200 feet 

(60m) long and 800 feet (240m) wide. The POFZ must be clear when an aircraft on a vertically guided final 

approach is within 2 nautical miles of the runway threshold and the official weather observation is a ceiling below 

250 feet or visibility less than 

3

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 statute mile (SM) (or runway visual range below 4,000 feet). If the POFZ is not 

clear, the MINIMUM authorized height above touchdown (HAT) and visibility is 250 feet and 

3

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SM. The POFZ 

is considered clear even if the wing of the aircraft holding on a taxiway waiting for runway clearance penetrates 

the POFZ; however, neither the fuselage nor the tail may infringe on the POFZ. The POFZ is applicable at all 

runway ends including displaced thresholds. 

Arrival Procedures

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