Traffic patterns are designed with specific procedures for some reason. Here’s what can happen when one pilot does not follow them and creates a conflict, and risks a collision in the air.
First, let’s review traffic pattern entries
When you decide which runway is the corridor you will get, the next step is to put your plane for Enter the leg under the windWe go down to the high traffic pattern, and prepare to enter the style.
First, though, you need to know the high traffic pattern for the airport you landed. This is usually a very easy number that must be remembered. Standard traffic is 1000 feet above the height of the airport. However, this is not always the case. Certainly, you can find the high traffic pattern for most airports in the graph supplement.
Once you are on the right height, how should you enter the style? By flying 45 degrees to the leg towards the wind, while it aims to the middle of the runway point. At the same time, you should make a radio call, and allow other traffic in the region to know your location, and what you do.
There are some reasons that make the entry flight to 45 degrees often concern, and we will cover it below. Click here to learn how to fly a perfect traffic pattern.
If you are approaching the airport from the other side of the airport FAA-Preferred method It is “the insertion of the midfield” (the left graph), and the second option is “the insertion of the alternative midfield” (right graph).
While crossing the midline to reach the leg toward the wind, FAA recommends expressing the height of the pattern at 500+ above the style, flying from the traffic pattern (about 2 miles), descending to the high pattern, and entering the entry of 45 degrees to the bottom of the midfield.
Report: Entering an incorrect pattern leads to conflict
The following report was written last year by the training of a student at Cirrus SR20. They were flying the style at a crowded training airport that had almost a full traffic pattern …
I was taking off and landing in the traffic pattern after returning from a single trip across the country. It was founded on a preliminary climb immediately after touch and movement. I made my radio call on CTAF, announcing that I will start my role in the wind. After visually clearing the area and checking the ADS-B, I did my left session. Once the level rolled, I saw a white Cesena in my first position slightly higher than a height (about 20-50 feet).
I immediately returned to the north (while Sisna continued south on the extended wind). After solving the situation, Batar Cessna called on CTAF to alert it again from my position, and now at five o’clock. At this point, the pilot admitted that he saw me at this moment after my dodging work. No eloquence action was taken and it seems unaware of the conflict until he heard my direct call to inform him of the situation.
This pilot was not aware of the region and made non -standard radio calls. He entered the wind from 4 miles north, which made him cross the cross leg of the pattern at a low height enough to put a conflict. The style was full of a large size of both aviation training and irregular traffic. Serena was not visible on ADS-B. Despite my radio call before the wind turned, there was no confession by this pilot. The small side side appearance of his plane (from his presence at a height) reduced its clarity. White paint corresponds to the sunlight lit the sun below.
This is why the entries of patterns and altitudes are important
Traffic style entries It is designed primarily for vision and traffic, whether for planes in the style and those that approach the style. Let’s start looking at the input 45 degrees.
By flying at an angle of 45 degrees, it gives you (and others) a good view of any other traffic pattern. In the first place, the amount of time you should see other traffic. It takes to approach the pattern at an angle longer than flying directly to the style, giving you more time to scan traffic and listen to the radio. And if you see another plane near you, it is easy to get away from the airport, rotate around it, and make you enter 45 degrees again.
The same applies to the introduction of the “favorite” midfield. By flying at a height of 500 feet above the style, you can get rid of yourself with other traffic. Then, you fly a maneuver to align yourself at the entrance of 45 degrees. This has the same benefits as standard 45 degrees, instead of turning directly into the wind.
Have you faced something like this?
If you fly regularly, you may have seen your fair share of non -standard accidents in the traffic pattern. Share some of your experiences in the comments below.