Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
I couldn't remember. Like I said - it seems to catch them off guard. Maybe it is the fact that each aircraft has to make his own gear call (except on a section approach). Does each member of the flight make their own? Also - the base leg (though we don't have a standard base leg) is past the point that we would normally call the gear. I remember from my GA flying that no gear call is required, but about the only other thing I remember from the GA pattern is GUMPS
USMCFLYR
"Abeam with gear" is probably what throws them, because that's not a standard AF call. Abeam what - the tower, the numbers, midfield downwind?
After initial, when each acft has pitched out, they make their own calls...but nothing's required until starting the base turn. Then you'll hear: MOONDOG 11, Left base, gear down, full stop 18L. Which is then echoed by MOONDOG 12, 13, 14, etc. when they each start their base turn.