I think the whole question is a tempest in a teapot. Who is going to cite
the "offending" pilot for making a right turn to enter left traffic from the
45?

Bob Gardner

wrote in message
...
Bob, is AC 90-66a available on line? As it is "advisory", I take it
that it is similar to the aim recommended procedures, but not
regulatory as in FARs?

I was referring to non towered, and where pattern direction was clear,
I'm assuming left for simplicity.

The quandary is, the aim recommends a 45 degree RIGHT turn to join the
pattern, whereas the fars say all turns to the LEFT when approaching
to land.

If it is argued that joining the circuit via the RIGHT turn is
approaching to land, then the AIM is in conflict with the FARs.

If it is argued that joining the circuit via the RIGHT turn is NOT
approaching to land, then is should be permissable to join short final
via a RIGHT turn also. And hence a Right base where left pattern is
in effect would be permissible.

Thus the quandary
Stan

On Mon, 3 Jan 2005 16:18:58 -0800, "Bob Gardner"
wrote:

Don't forget Advisory Circular 90-66A when collecting information.

At a Class D airport, you will follow the controller's
instructions....might
utility. And you ignored that part of 91.126 relating to visual
markings and right turns...that's cheating on your part.


Bob Gardner

wrote in message
. ..
Consider the following FARs,
§ 91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G
airspace.
b) Direction of turns. When approaching to land at an airport without
an operating control tower in Class G airspace-
(1) Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to
the left ....

AND
91.129 Operations in Class D airspace.
(a) General. ... each person operating an aircraft in Class D airspace
must comply with ... §§91.126 and 91.127.

The question could be asked, how do you join the pattern, since when
attempting same you are obviously "approaching to land at an airport"

Now, AIM 4-3-3. Traffic Patterns Provides some recommendations:

http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/aim/Chap4/4-3-1

with "(See FIG 4-3-2)".

Now interestingly, this figure shows a 45 degree right turn to join
the downwind, with the example stating:
"Enter pattern in level flight, abeam the midpoint of the runway."

However, and this is the quandary, the AIM example recommends a
procedure that seems to be against the FAR about left turns when
"approaching to land".

Can it be that joining the pattern is not considered as "approaching
to land", and hence, mandatory left turns are not required?

Because if so, a pilot can be on a RIGHT base, thus join the circuit
turning to final, and thus avoid the whole idea of a left traffic
pattern, and the "all turns to the left when approaching to land" FAR.

Loopholes, anyone?

Stan