Instrument / Instrument Flight Rules (IN-IFR) Practice Test

This item tests how minimums differ for straight-in landings versus circling landings under IFR. Straight-in minima are the published minimums for landing on the runway the approach is aligned with, allowing a continuous descent to a landing. Circling minima are used when a straight-in landing on that runway isn’t feasible after the approach, so you must maneuver to a different runway; this added maneuvering increases risk and requires greater obstacle clearance margins, leading to higher minimums. Because of the extra complexity and potential for deviations during a circling maneuver, circling minimums are higher than straight-in minimums. So the statement that straight-in minima apply when landing straight ahead on the intended runway and circling minima apply when a straight-in landing isn’t feasible and require higher minimums is the correct description.