What should you reset before turning to final on a circling approach?

• A. The heading bug and altitude preselect.
• B. The airspeed indicator.
• C. The landing gear position.
• D. The vertical speed indicator.

Answer: (A)

When you’re turning to final on a circling approach, re-establish the nav cues to match the upcoming final path. Setting the heading bug to the intended final approach course reorients the flight director/autopilot to fly toward the runway, while resetting the altitude preselect to the circling altitude ensures you maintain the correct vertical profile and descend only when appropriate for the circling maneuver. This combination keeps navigation guidance aligned with the actual final approach, reducing confusion during the transition from instrument approach to visual.

The airspeed indicator isn’t something you reset for this maneuver; it continues to reflect current airspeed and is controlled by your pitch or the autopilot/flight director as needed. The landing gear position is controlled by your landing phase, and you wouldn’t conceptually “reset” it just to turn to final. The vertical speed indicator shows rate of climb or descent and isn’t reset as part of preparing for a circling final.