At a non-towered airport, after executing a circling approach, how is the initial missed approach turn executed?

• A. Immediately turn away from the runway on a heading chosen by the pilot
• B. Climb straight ahead until reaching a published hold
• C. Descend to the traffic pattern altitude before initiating the missed approach
• D. An initial climbing turn toward the landing runway is required until established on the missed approach course

Answer: (D)

From a circling instrument approach at a non-towered field, the missed approach is designed to get you safely climbing and away from obstacles while you position yourself on the published course. The initial action is a climbing turn toward the landing runway, and you continue that climb until you’re established on the missed approach course. This keeps you inside the protected airspace for circling and ensures you don’t descend or fly straight ahead into potential hazards before you’re on the correct path.

Turning away from the runway would leave the obstacle-protected path, and climbing straight ahead or descending to pattern altitude before starting the missed approach would compromise clearance. The required maneuver — an initial climbing turn toward the runway until established on the missed approach course — is all about maintaining safe clearance and properly sequencing into the published missed approach.