Circle to Land vs. Sidestep

[buzzin77]

When flying an ILS approach, but landing at a parallel runway (Niagara Falls, IAG, ILS 28R, landing 28L), ATC says, "Cleared ILS 28R, Circle to 28L, Cleared to Land." I think this is because the runways are more than 1200ft apart, but is this phraseology used regardless of the distance between runways? The P/C glossary says that "Circle to Land" is used when the landing runway is different than the runway aligned with the approach. Isn't there such a thing as "Sidestep to Runway ...."?

Thanks!

 

[buzzin77]

Found the answer in the AIM, 5-4-19.

 

[SteveC]

Found the answer in the AIM, 5-4-19.

What's it say?

 

[subpilot]

I get "sidestep to runway 29L, cleared to land 29L" often while on the ILS29R in Fresno.

 

[buzzin77]

The AIM basically says that if parallel runways are separated by 1200 feet or less, ATC may authorize an approach procedure and a landing on the adjacent parallel runway. "Example, 'cleared ILS runway 7 left approach, side-step to runway 7 right.'"

There is a related thread on the minimums for Side-step approaches here, which also has an excerpt from the AIM:

http://forums.jetcareers.com/air-traffic-control/31589-sidestep.html