proper way to enter a non towered traffic pattern?

[paid4training]

Lets say the runway is 18/32 (using 18) and you are comig from north. I was always taught to cross mid field at min 500 feet above pattern alt. teardrop entery and enter downwind at pattern alt. is this correct and if so why the hell doesn't anybody do it...?

Thanks in advance

 

[AC560]

Arriving aircraft should be at the appropriate traffic pattern altitude before entering the traffic pattern. Entry to the downwind leg should be at a 45-degree angle abeam the midpoint of the runway.

AC90-66A

 

[nosehair]

hmmm...in the case of a runway 18/32, it would probably be best to cross on a midfield, since the downwind would have a 40 degree bend in it.

It would be hard (for me) to make a 45 degree intercept to such a crooked downwind...

 

[AC560]

It would be hard (for me) to make a 45 degree intercept to such a crooked downwind...

I would be going straight in myself, remember he who is lowest wins

 

[VNugget]

Direct into the upwind.

KISS!

 

[svcta]

Direct into the upwind.

KISS!

A very convincing argument could be made that this would require the least maneuvering and maintain the best visibility of the traffic pattern.

Enter however you wish, just make sure that if you choose something other than the standard 45 deg. entry leg you are absolutely sure that you know where everybody else(if anybody's there) is. It's legal and acceptable, but you're placing some extra responsibility on yourself.

 

[rfresh]

Lets say the runway is 18/32 (using 18) and you are comig from north. I was always taught to cross mid field at min 500 feet above pattern alt. teardrop entery and enter downwind at pattern alt. is this correct and if so why the hell doesn't anybody do it...?

Thanks in advance

One thing you'll find is that many pilots come into an uncontrolled airport any way they want. I've seen them take off downwind against all the other traffic - what you should be concerned with isn't so much as why other pilots don't follow the correct procedures since you can't change that but to learn how to enter correctly yourself and then watch how everybody else is doing it so you can keep clear and safe!

 

[Secret Squirrel]

10 mile final for 36. I tend to grease them better with a tail wind!

 

[VW Pilot]

Yeah lots of pilots make up entry points ....Some not safe. But since this happens , just keep your eyes peeled for traffic. The best thing you could do is read the AIM and go with that pattern.

 

[VW Pilot]

Also if at 500 abouve the pattern look for lears and other jets.....your description was fine...just keep your eyes peeled....

 

[svcta]

Yes, it is worth mentioning that jets are typically going to fly 1500' patterns....they go fast and a lot of times the crews aren't terribly current with non-towered ops. I'm not only the hair club president, I'm also a client........

 

[Dizel8]

As someone else said, I would enter on the upwind, turn crosswind over the numbers or close thereto, then turn downwind and be in business.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I typicall cross midfield at 1000 above TPA, check the AIM on this.

 

[twighead]

Direct into the upwind.

KISS!

Huh? The original poster said in his senario that you are coming FROM the North and landing on 18. (That is straight in for you guys who couldn't figure it out.) Where are all you guys coming up with this upwind and straight in for 36 stuff?

P.S. He also said the runway is 18/32 which would make one hell of an interesting runway.

 

[VNugget]

Huh? The original poster said in his senario that you are coming FROM the North and landing on 18. (That is straight in for you guys who couldn't figure it out.) Where are all you guys coming up with this upwind and straight in for 36 stuff?

P.S. He also said the runway is 18/32 which would make one hell of an interesting runway.

If you're coming from the North, then you're flying South (heading 180) and are aligned with the upwind for 18.

 

[twighead]

If you're coming from the North, then you're flying South (heading 180) and are aligned with the upwind for 18.

My point was why would you ever enter on the upwind when you could fly straight in?

And the other comment was to head straight in for 36, which is not even possible.

 

[VNugget]

My point was why would you ever enter on the upwind when you could fly straight in?

And the other comment was to head straight in for 36, which is not even possible.

So you can:

- check the windsock
- look over the field layout (taxiways, ramp, fuel pump, obstructions, etc)
- fit in with existing traffic
- get the plane slowed down
- see the runway over a big nose
- fly a more consistent approach from abeam the numbers
- placate the old grinches who make a pastime of raging against straight-ins
- look cool

(any of which may or may not apply depending on the situation)

And I never said anything about a straight-in to 36.

 

[nosehair]

If you're coming from the North, then you're flying South (heading 180) and are aligned with the upwind for 18.

...and it's one, two, three.. what are we fightin' for?

 

[Joshrk22]

So would you just make a straight-in, pass over the traffic on final, over the numbers, and join on the upwind?

"xxxx traffic, xxxxx, 5 miles to the north, 2,000, straight-in to enter upwind 18, xxxxx."

 

[Huggyu2]

So would you just make a straight-in, pass over the traffic on final, over the numbers, and join on the upwind?

"xxxx traffic, xxxxx, 5 miles to the north, 2,000, straight-in to enter upwind 18, xxxxx."

Sounds like y'all are pretty much describing "reporting initial", as per AIM 5-4-26. Basically, just like a military overhead patten.
If so, could the radio call sound more like "xx traffic, Nxxx, 5 mile initial for runway 18 at xxxx"? Or is using the term "initial" frowned upon?