During a circle to land approach, what should you do until base turn?

During a circle to land approach, it is essential to maintain altitude until you reach the base turn, where you will begin your final descent to the landing runway. This approach is typically used when weather conditions allow for visibility and the pilot has a clear understanding of the landing environment. By not descending until the base turn, you ensure that you have adequate spacing and time to assess the approach, the conditions, and the characteristics of the runway.

Maintaining altitude allows you to identify the landing area clearly and gives you the opportunity to stabilize your flight profile as you align yourself with the runway during the turn. This practice enhances safety by reducing the risk of an unintentional stall or misjudgment in your approach path. The emphasis on waiting to descend until the final turn helps mitigate errors that might arise from premature descent, ensuring that you are in a controlled position to make the landing safely.