Dumb Traffic Pattern Question
11-25-2009, 08:30 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Position: CRJ700 F/O
Posts: 354
Dumb Traffic Pattern Question
My roommate and I (both CFIs) were discussing this the other day at work about entering the pattern at our home airport..Most of the time when returning we are instructed to enter and report a 2 mile right/left base for runway X.
I have always assumed that it means the base leg will be 2 miles from the runway..or, a 2 mile final when the time comes..my roommate seems to think you would report when on base, and 2 miles from turning final...
Any words of wisdom out there so I can hopefully tell my roommate he's wrong :)
I have always assumed that it means the base leg will be 2 miles from the runway..or, a 2 mile final when the time comes..my roommate seems to think you would report when on base, and 2 miles from turning final...
Any words of wisdom out there so I can hopefully tell my roommate he's wrong :)
11-26-2009, 05:44 AM
#3
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,405
What tower wants is for you to ENTER a base leg for a two-mile final, and report when on the base leg.
If you are straight in to the base, don't report it 12 miles out, report it when you within the normal traffic pattern base leg distance (maybe a mile or so from final). The whole point of this is that the tower wants to know when and where to look for you, and wants you close enough to acquire visually.
If you are straight in to the base, don't report it 12 miles out, report it when you within the normal traffic pattern base leg distance (maybe a mile or so from final). The whole point of this is that the tower wants to know when and where to look for you, and wants you close enough to acquire visually.
12-01-2009, 07:33 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: In the TRACON
Posts: 109
The point to reporting a 2 (or 9 or 10) mile base leg to the tower is so the controller can find you and make a decision to clear you to land or do something else (360, turn onto an extended downwind, whatever).
Imagine you're in the pattern, and the tower tells you to extend your downwind 2 miles. When you turn base, then, you're on a 2 mile base and that's what the tower is looking for if you're entering the pattern on a 2 mile base leg.
Virtually all towers have some sort of radar display (there are a handful that don't), so the tower generally knows where you are and can set a sequence based on the radar screen instead of just strictly position reports from pilots.
Imagine you're in the pattern, and the tower tells you to extend your downwind 2 miles. When you turn base, then, you're on a 2 mile base and that's what the tower is looking for if you're entering the pattern on a 2 mile base leg.
Virtually all towers have some sort of radar display (there are a handful that don't), so the tower generally knows where you are and can set a sequence based on the radar screen instead of just strictly position reports from pilots.
12-01-2009, 07:38 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 31
It depends on the controller, but I normally take it to mean report when on a left/right base, two miles from the threshold.
IOW if instructed, "report a 2 mile left base, runway 27," I would report right base approximately 2 miles from the threshold.
IOW if instructed, "report a 2 mile left base, runway 27," I would report right base approximately 2 miles from the threshold.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
