circle to runway

Used by ATC (air traffic control) to tell the pilot to circle to land because the runway in use is other than the runway aligned with the instrument approach procedure. When the direction of the circling maneuver in relation to the airport runway is required, the controller will state the direction (eight cardinal compass points) and specify a left or right downwind or base leg as appropriate (e.g., “Cleared VOR [very high frequency omnidirectional radio range] Runway One Eight Approach circle to Runway Zero Four,” or “Circle northwest of the airport for a right downwind to Runway Three Three”).