Timeline for What is the correct traffic pattern at a towered airport?
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20 events
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| Apr 17, 2015 at 0:12 | vote | accept | Eric | ||
| Dec 22, 2014 at 23:43 | comment | added | rbp | The reason you haven't gotten an answer to your question is because you're asking about something that doesn't happen, except when the controller doesn't follow ATC procedures. When you contact a towered airport, you will be given a clearance as to what kind of approach to make. If you don't get a clearance, the proper response is to key the mic and ask the controller what he wants you to do. See the quote from the PFH in the last edit. | |
| Dec 22, 2014 at 23:42 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 22, 2014 at 23:34 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 22, 2014 at 23:28 | comment | added | Eric | @rbp, I already understand traffic patterns. If my CFI needs to explain to me what pattern a towered airport expects me to use without giving me direct instructions, then why can't anybody here explain it to my satisfaction? Once again, I UNDERSTAND TRAFFIC PATTERNS! Please re-read my question, it isn't about what do if they give me instructions. My question is what do they expect me to fly if they DON'T give specific instructions. You answered my question assuming ATC gave instructions. | |
| Dec 22, 2014 at 13:42 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 22, 2014 at 13:40 | comment | added | rbp | @eric I think we are getting out of the realm of information and into the realm of ground instruction. I think you need to spend some time with the CFI who signed you off for your private pilot's checkride, specifically on PTS III(b)(1): "Exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to traffic patterns. This shall include procedures at airports with and without operating control towers." I also added another reference on traffic patterns in the Pilots Flying Handbook. | |
| Dec 22, 2014 at 3:29 | comment | added | Eric | @rbp, the editor timed out on me. The ATC Handbook implies there are two ways to fly to the final approach. 1)Specific instuctions as listed below 2) standard pattern to the left. "Specific traffic pattern information (may be omitted if the aircraft is to circle the airport to the left). PHRASEOLOGY- ENTER LEFT/RIGHT BASE. STRAIGHT-IN. MAKE STRAIGHT-IN. STRAIGHT-IN APPROVED. RIGHT TRAFFIC. MAKE RIGHT TRAFFIC. RIGHT TRAFFIC APPROVED. CONTINUE. " This page doesn't explain what these specific instructions mean. "MAKE" seems to be a keyword with a special meaning. | |
| Dec 22, 2014 at 3:22 | comment | added | Eric | @rbp, The traffic pattern diagram is helpful but the ATC Handbook doesn't | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 20:55 | comment | added | Lnafziger | @eric A somewhat related question, especially some of the comments on the answer: aviation.stackexchange.com/q/1840/69 | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 16:59 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 21, 2014 at 16:50 | comment | added | rbp | Also, I added some additional explanations, with references, which should clear up any confusion. | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 16:43 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 21, 2014 at 16:28 | comment | added | rbp | @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). | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 5:24 | comment | added | voretaq7 | @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. | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 3:41 | comment | added | rbp | Traffic patterns earns an entire chapter in the PHAK: faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/… | |
| Dec 21, 2014 at 3:25 | comment | added | Eric | 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". | |
| Dec 20, 2014 at 18:22 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 20, 2014 at 18:14 | history | edited | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
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| Dec 20, 2014 at 18:06 | history | answered | rbp | CC BY-SA 3.0 |