Traffic Patterns

I don’t think most people think about it, and I hadn’t either before I started my training, but pilots have to have a system landing without running into each other. I think I just assumed the pilot would just land on the runway nearest to them.


As I stared my training, I learned about the traffic pattern. Traffic patterns are customary at most general aviation airports and a few busy ones as well. The traffic pattern is a way for the pilots “line up” and communicate their location while still having view of the runway. The FAA does not mandate the traffic pattern, but it is the safest way for all pilots to anticipate what others will be doing.

The traffic pattern can be all shapes, but in general, one can expect:

• The shape to be in a rectangle
• It would consist of all left turns
• The pattern would be at an altitude of about 1,000 feet above the ground
• It would consist of five segments: Departure, Crosswind, Downwind, Base & Final. This allows the pilot to announce their position in a manner that other will understand. For example, I could state: “Shelbyville traffic Diamond 233NH turning left base of runway 36”.

These are guidelines for assumptions, the pilot should verify the details of the traffic pattern for the destination airport during the flight planning process.

  

In addition, flying into a controlled airport can have it challenges, but one task I don’t have to do, is select a runway. In controlled airports, ATC assign the runway to use. In uncontrolled airports, the pilots has to select which runway (there is always at least two to pick from) take off and land from.



Shelbyville Municipal Airport



  

The most desirable way to land or take off is with a headwind, meaning the wind is coming in the exact opposite direction of the path of flight. There are few reasons why, but one would be if the pilot was trying to stop the plane on the runway, they wouldn’t want the wind to continue to push them forward. Of course, very rarely will the pilot be lucky enough for the wind to be traveling in the opposite direction of the runway, so they select the runway that provide at least some headwind. The numbers of the runway correspond to the direction on the compass one would be traveling while on it. The last digit is removed for simplicity. For example, runway 36 would be pointing the in the compass heading 360 (north). On the other side of the runway, will be 18 which is pointing compass heading 180 (south).It maybe the same piece of land, but it is two spate runways and the pilot can pick the right one based upon wind conditions. If I state” Shelbyville traffic Diamond 233NH taking off of runway 36”, all pilots will know which direction I going.

The decision on which runway to use can usually be made several miles out. The pilot can listen to weather briefings for the airport and determine which would be most appropriate. If a weather briefing is not available, the pilot can wait until they are close enough to the airport to view the windsock.

Prior to today’s flight, my CFI reviewed traffic patterns and then discussed how to enter the traffic pattern. Like I said about my last two flights I struggled with traffic pattern entry. Technically, there is no wrong way to enter the traffic pattern, but pilots want to have the maximum chance to be seen by other pilots to avoid possible collisions.

The two standard approaches is “entering on a 45” and “teardrop”. The safest place to enter the traffic pattern is mid-field (halfway) on the downwind segment, or leg, of the pattern.

Entering on a 45, means the pilot is approaching the traffic pattern on a 45 degree angle to the entry point. Even if the pilot would be on center for the traffic pattern, they should to adjust to enter on a angle. The target should be mid-field, or halfway down the runway.



Entry on a 45 at Shelbyville Municipal Airport



The other option is called a teardrop entry, where the pilot flies over the runway and enters the traffic pattern with a loop.



Teardrop Entry at Shelbyville Municipal Airport



This process seems simple, but it require a lot of pre-planning several minutes prior to reaching the airport. In addition, it takes visualizing it in the “mind’s eye”. Also, the decision becomes more complex with each additional runway added at the airport.

After the lesson, we flew to Shelbyville Municipal Airport (SYI) and practiced what I learned. This was a huge help. The wind was in the direction of 200 (about southwest) and based upon the direction I was coming from, I decided to enter on a 45 for runway 36.

Not sure if I’m past my learning plateau, but I feel comfortable with approaching the airport.

 Flight time: 1.00 hours

 Cost: Plane rental - $94.00, Instructor Fee - $60.0