Aerodrome & Circuit
Joining the Circuit and Give-Way Rules
Broadcast your intentions, use the published NZPP joining procedures (not the SOHJ), and give way to aircraft already established in the circuit.
1 min readKapiti Aero Club safety team
When joining the circuit, safety and communication are critical. The circuit is flown in a standard pattern to avoid conflicts between aircraft, and following the give-way rules keeps traffic flowing safely and predictably.
Joining the circuit
- Always make your intentions clear by broadcasting your position and intentions on the appropriate frequency.
- At uncontrolled aerodromes, use the standard overhead join before joining the circuit at a standard position.
- At NZPP we don't use the SOHJ – follow the joining procedures published in the AIP.
- Be aware of other aircraft in the vicinity, paying close attention to inbound and outbound traffic information from Flight Service.
Give-way rules
Aircraft established in the circuit have right of way over aircraft joining. If there's traffic in the circuit at NZPP, orbit and wait for a gap in a location that won't conflict with circuit traffic.