You wouldn’t shoulder barge someone in the street, even if you had right-of-way, would you? Maybe apply that same courtesy in the circuit.

That’s one of the main messages of the CAA’s Circuit Certainty seminars that toured the country in late 2024.

The 35 seminars were the final stage of the Work Together, Stay Apart safety campaign for flying in and around unattended aerodromes.

There have been 553 reported airborne conflicts in the circuit in New Zealand in the last eight years. Of that total, 154 occurrences required one or both pilots to take drastic avoiding action – and in nearly half of those cases, the aircraft were so close that if avoiding action hadn’t been taken, a mid-air collision would have occurred.

Yield, don’t push

CAA Aviation Safety Advisor – and flight examiner – Carlton Campbell told the 1500 pilots who attended the various seminars, that while aviation rules are certainly clear about rights-of-way in the circuit, there are also rules about avoiding conflict.

“It’s a subtle shift in how some people manage their sequencing in the circuit. They have to make sure they avoid the risk of conflict, as opposed to simply doing something because they have the right-of-way.

“It’s part of good airmanship – creating consistency and predictability, and everybody conforming to the same procedures. It enhances our ability to find each other in the sky, and sequence with each other accordingly.”

CAA Principal Advisor of Regulatory Practice – and former CPL(H) – David Oliver puts it another way.

“It’s about being a reasonable human and flying friendly. It’s not about being right, it’s about being courteous, professional, and clear. It’s also okay to make a mistake – but be clear and courteous when correcting that mistake – for instance, when rejoining or going around.”

Know other aircraft in the circuit

David told the attendees that pilots who understand the limitations of other aircraft in the circuit are better equipped to know when to give way.

“You should have an awareness of what’s likely in the circuit you’re going to be flying in, and what the likely limitations of the other aircraft are. Good sources of information are the AIP, local operators, and local aero clubs.”

A good example, he says, is flying around somewhere like Ōmarama.

“You might have the right-of-way, but if you’ve got a glider coming and the pilot has made a misjudgement, or the wind has changed, they’ve got no options. They can’t go around. It’s a far better option for you to go around or reposition behind the glider – or give them extra space to sequence in front of you.”

Rules exist for a reason

CAA Flight Examiner – and former CFI of South Canterbury Aero Club – Aaron Pearce told the seminars that all New Zealand pilots need to do a re-set around standard manoeuvres in the circuit.

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of sticking to the published and established circuit for any given aerodrome,” he says.

“Behaviours, including the use of non-standard turns by pilots either vacating or joining the circuit, have become the norm at many unattended aerodromes. It was never intended to be that way.

“The rules are like a ‘road code’ for these situations. They’re there to give predictability to how the traffic will flow, how pilots will behave, and what actions they’ll take.

“Those pilots who choose to use non-standard manoeuvres are going against rules that were written to protect themselves and others.”

Slow down in the circuit

For CAA Aviation Safety Advisor Pete Gordon – CPL(H) – the key message is clear.

“Slow down when entering the circuit. It seems to me that some pilots tend to want to rush to the final part of the circuit and be the first to land.

“My suggestion is to slow down and enjoy it. That’ll help to keep everybody safe.”

Aaron Pearce adds that any pilot who’s not sure what’s ahead in the circuit should, “Get the wings level and either vacate or reduce speed. Give yourself time to think, and assess where the traffic is.”

Be aware of the wider environment

Recognising the environmental threats around an aerodrome can go a long way to protecting yourself and others in the circuit, as Aaron explains.

“Many aerodromes now have development creeping onto their edges, including housing and industrial buildings. Many of those buildings are white or beige, like many aircraft. So, it’s easy to miss seeing a Tomahawk or a 152. Take your time and keep your eyes outside.”

Radio calls

David Oliver says clear and courteous radio calls contribute massively to predictability and collaboration in the circuit, including communicating your limitations.

“If you’re flying, say, a microlight, and all other traffic in the circuit is flying at 110 knots, it’s worth mentioning you’re topping out at 60 knots.”

Aaron Pearce adds a note of caution that radios can fail.

“At any time, any one of us can go NORDO without knowing it, through a comms failure. That’s when sticking to standard procedures in the circuit gives everyone a level of protection. It gives us all a level of predictability, so we know where to look for other aircraft.”