Narrative:

We were completing the last leg of a three flight pattern with a non-revenue flight into ZZZ. There [were] no passengers or crew in the back of the airplane. Weather conditions were very good with unrestricted visibilities; light winds; and some light turbulence. ZZZ is very well known to both pilots having been home airport to both during their career. The pilots are both PIC's; well acquainted and friendly with each other; and work very well together. I was PIC; flying the leg from the left seat; and it should be noted this was only my 4th approach and landing in over two months due to covid-19 related ops stand-downs and vacation. Approximately 25 miles south of the airport; we called the airport in sight and were cleared for a visual approach to runway xl. The airplane was on profile; with appropriate speed and altitude and I began to configure and reduce speed and line up for final approach. The tuned ILS was on glide path and just left of centerline at about 10 miles out; at flaps 10deg and approximately 220 kts; and already cleared to land. Then; the other pilot asked me about a landmark near the airport which was off our right wing. It was a clear violation of sterile cockpit and I allowed myself to be distracted during a critical phase of flight and pointed the landmark out to him. When I returned my attention to the airplane; it was quickly evident we were now high; fast; and not configured properly. I briefly considered deploying all drag possible and diving for the runway but quickly discarded that option. The other pilot suggested asking the tower for a left 360 deg turn. Given that we were approximately 2;500 feet AGL and there was virtually no traffic at the time; I agreed with the suggestion. He made the request to the tower; it was quickly approved; and I initiated the left 360 while continuing a gradual descent and continuing to configure. We rolled out of the turn at three miles; on speed; on glide path; fully configured and stable. We then continued the approach to a normal; uneventful landing.to me this was a clear case of pilot distraction brought on by an egregious violation of sterile cockpit rules by both of us. Our familiarity with each other and a shared history of operating at this airport led us down the path of complacency. The surprising thing to me was how quickly the airplane departed from the correct descent profile despite such a brief distraction. I should have been much more vigilant in maintaining sterile cockpit; especially given my rustiness from a prolonged layoff from flying. I also believe that over-friendliness and familiarity in a cockpit with your flying partner has the potential to be more dangerous than a crew that doesn't like each other since they are more likely to only focus on the job. This incident was a wake up call for me to brief the absolute necessity of sterile cockpit especially with my friends.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot reported an unstable approach and requesting a 360 turn on final from Approach. Reporter cited lack of flying and distractions during the approach as contributing factors.

Narrative: We were completing the last leg of a three flight pattern with a non-revenue flight into ZZZ. There [were] no passengers or crew in the back of the airplane. Weather conditions were very good with unrestricted visibilities; light winds; and some light turbulence. ZZZ is very well known to both pilots having been home airport to both during their career. The pilots are both PIC's; well acquainted and friendly with each other; and work very well together. I was PIC; flying the leg from the left seat; and it should be noted this was only my 4th approach and landing in over two months due to COVID-19 related Ops stand-downs and vacation. Approximately 25 miles south of the airport; we called the airport in sight and were cleared for a visual approach to Runway XL. The airplane was on profile; with appropriate speed and altitude and I began to configure and reduce speed and line up for final approach. The tuned ILS was on glide path and just left of centerline at about 10 miles out; at flaps 10deg and approximately 220 kts; and already cleared to land. Then; the other pilot asked me about a landmark near the Airport which was off our right wing. It was a clear violation of sterile cockpit and I allowed myself to be distracted during a critical phase of flight and pointed the landmark out to him. When I returned my attention to the airplane; it was quickly evident we were now high; fast; and not configured properly. I briefly considered deploying all drag possible and diving for the runway but quickly discarded that option. The other pilot suggested asking the Tower for a left 360 deg turn. Given that we were approximately 2;500 feet AGL and there was virtually no traffic at the time; I agreed with the suggestion. He made the request to the Tower; it was quickly approved; and I initiated the left 360 while continuing a gradual descent and continuing to configure. We rolled out of the turn at three miles; on speed; on glide path; fully configured and stable. We then continued the approach to a normal; uneventful landing.To me this was a clear case of pilot distraction brought on by an egregious violation of sterile cockpit rules by both of us. Our familiarity with each other and a shared history of operating at this airport led us down the path of complacency. The surprising thing to me was how quickly the airplane departed from the correct descent profile despite such a brief distraction. I should have been much more vigilant in maintaining sterile cockpit; especially given my rustiness from a prolonged layoff from flying. I also believe that over-friendliness and familiarity in a cockpit with your flying partner has the potential to be more dangerous than a crew that doesn't like each other since they are more likely to only focus on the job. This incident was a wake up call for me to brief the absolute necessity of sterile cockpit especially with my friends.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.