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Aviation

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  • $\begingroup$ If ATC instructs to "enter a right base for runway 15", does that mean fly directly to the base leg and not enter a standard right pattern by joining the downwind? What about "make left traffic for runway 15"? Does that mean enter the downwind leg? If I were instructed to do that, I would probably ask what ATC means by "make left traffic". $\endgroup$
    – Eric
    Commented Dec 21, 2014 at 3:25
  • $\begingroup$ Traffic patterns earns an entire chapter in the PHAK: faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/… $\endgroup$
    – rbp
    Commented Dec 21, 2014 at 3:41
  • $\begingroup$ @rbp It's worth noting that the section on traffic patterns begins with "At those airports without an operating control tower". Not that you can't use these procedures to get onto a downwind leg if the tower instructs you to to enter a downwind, but it's better to ask than to be the guy maneuvering to enter on a 45 when the tower expected you to enter on a base leg. $\endgroup$
    – voretaq7
    Commented Dec 21, 2014 at 5:24
  • $\begingroup$ @voretaq7 -- read the whole sentence: "At those airports without an operating control tower, a segmented circle visual indicator system [Figure 13-13], if installed, is designed to provide traffic pattern information. " (emphasis mine). $\endgroup$
    – rbp
    Commented Dec 21, 2014 at 16:28
  • $\begingroup$ Also, I added some additional explanations, with references, which should clear up any confusion. $\endgroup$
    – rbp
    Commented Dec 21, 2014 at 16:50